By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 8
179 cal · 45 min
Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade
Recipe GLPRcb98629543b8a0
A refreshing homemade sparkling lemonade infused with tart raspberries and bright lemon flavor. This naturally sweet drink is perfect for warm days and can be easily spiked with your favorite spirit to create a light cocktail. Combine fresh-squeezed lemon juice with crushed raspberries, sparkling water, and a touch of sweetness for a delightfully effervescent beverage that's sure to impress.
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Ingredients
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 1/2 cups cold water
2 1/4 cups fresh-squeezed lemon juice, strained (about 6-8 large lemons)
1 whole lemon, sliced
1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries, washed
32 ounces sparkling water
4 cups ice
Directions
Pour the sugar into a large pitcher and add a small amount of hot water (about 1/2 cup). Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves completely, about 1-2 minutes.
Add the cold water to the pitcher with the dissolved sugar and stir to combine.
Pour in the fresh-squeezed lemon juice and stir well.
Add the fresh raspberries and lemon slices to the pitcher.
Pour in the sparkling water and gently stir until all ingredients are well combined.
Add the ice to the pitcher and stir gently to chill the mixture.
Taste the lemonade and adjust the sugar level if desired, adding more for sweetness or more lemon juice for tartness.
Refrigerate the pitcher for 10-15 minutes until thoroughly chilled.
Serve immediately in glasses filled with ice. For a cocktail version, add a shot of your preferred spirit to each serving glass before filling with the sparkling raspberry lemonade.
Comments
Every ingredient is a commodity item at any Charlotte grocer, and costs run about 60 cents per serving—sugar, fresh lemon, and raspberries are the main expenses, but all are reliably in stock year-round even when raspberries are imported. The stated 45 minutes is honest only if you count standing time; actual hands-on work is maybe 10 minutes, which is accurate for squeezing lemons and stirring. This is a low-fuss, no-cook pitcher drink that reheats poorly (flat and warm is not appealing) but is ideal for hot North Carolina summer afternoons when made fresh, and it's the kind of recipe that rewards you for doing nothing complicated.
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