I love making this Sugar Free Lemonade when I want something refreshing, light, and naturally sweet without using refined sugar. It has the perfect balance of tart lemon flavor and clean sweetness, making it ideal for warm days, gatherings, or whenever I crave a simple homemade drink. With only a handful of ingredients, I can prepare a crisp, low-calorie beverage in just minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I enjoy this recipe because it gives me all the bright, fresh flavor of classic lemonade without the sugar crash. The natural sweeteners keep it low carb and keto-friendly, which fits perfectly into a healthier lifestyle. I also like how easy it is to adjust the sweetness depending on my taste. It is incredibly refreshing, quick to prepare, and perfect for serving guests who want a lighter drink option. Plus, I only need a few simple ingredients to make it happen.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
4 cups cold filtered water
1/3 cup granulated erythritol or monk fruit sweetener (adjust to taste)
1/4 teaspoon liquid stevia (optional, for extra sweetness)
1 cup ice cubes
Lemon slices, for garnish
Fresh mint leaves, optional
Directions
I start by rolling the lemons firmly on the countertop to help release more juice. Then I slice and squeeze them until I have 1 cup of fresh lemon juice.
In a small saucepan over low heat, I combine 1 cup of the water with the erythritol or monk fruit sweetener. I stir continuously until it fully dissolves, creating a simple syrup. Once dissolved, I remove it from the heat and let it cool.
In a large pitcher, I pour in the freshly squeezed lemon juice along with the cooled sweetened mixture.
Next, I add the remaining 3 cups of cold water and stir everything well to combine.
I taste the lemonade and, if I want it sweeter, I add a few drops of liquid stevia and stir again.
Finally, I add ice cubes directly into the pitcher or into individual glasses. I garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves before serving. If I am not serving it immediately, I refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 4 servings.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Each serving contains approximately 8 kcal, making it a very low-calorie drink option.
Variations
I sometimes experiment with different flavors to keep things interesting. For a berry twist, I muddle a few fresh raspberries or strawberries into the pitcher. When I want something tropical, I add a splash of coconut water. For a sparkling version, I replace part of the cold water with chilled sparkling water just before serving. If I prefer a stronger citrus flavor, I mix in a little lime juice along with the lemon juice.
Storage/Reheating
I store any leftover lemonade in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving again, I stir it well since natural sweeteners can sometimes settle slightly. I prefer to add fresh ice and garnishes right before serving to keep everything tasting crisp and fresh. This drink does not require reheating.
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FAQs
Can I use only one type of sweetener?
Yes, I can use only erythritol or only monk fruit if I prefer. I adjust the quantity to match my desired sweetness level.
Why do I make a simple syrup instead of mixing everything cold?
I dissolve the sweetener in warm water to ensure it blends smoothly into the lemonade without any grainy texture.
Is this lemonade keto-friendly?
Yes, since I use low-carb sweeteners like erythritol or monk fruit, it fits well into a keto lifestyle.
Can I freeze this lemonade?
Yes, I can freeze it in ice cube trays and blend the cubes later for a frozen lemonade treat.
How can I make it less tart?
If it tastes too tart for me, I simply add a bit more sweetener or slightly reduce the amount of lemon juice next time.
Conclusion
I find this Sugar Free Lemonade to be the perfect balance of refreshing and healthy. It allows me to enjoy a classic summer drink without refined sugar while keeping it low calorie and clean. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, I can prepare a naturally sweetened beverage that feels both indulgent and nourishing at the same time.
📖 Recipe:
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Sugar Free Lemonade
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Diabetic
Description
A refreshing and naturally sweet Sugar Free Lemonade made with fresh lemon juice and low-carb sweeteners. This light, crisp drink is perfect for warm days and offers all the bright citrus flavor of classic lemonade without refined sugar or extra calories.
Ingredients
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
4 cups cold filtered water
1/3 cup granulated erythritol or monk fruit sweetener (adjust to taste)
1/4 teaspoon liquid stevia (optional)
1 cup ice cubes
Lemon slices, for garnish
Fresh mint leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Roll the lemons firmly on the countertop to release more juice. Slice and squeeze until you have 1 cup of fresh lemon juice.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, combine 1 cup of the water with the erythritol or monk fruit sweetener. Stir continuously until fully dissolved to create a simple syrup. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a large pitcher, pour in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and the cooled sweetened mixture.
- Add the remaining 3 cups of cold water and stir well to combine.
- Taste and adjust sweetness if desired by adding a few drops of liquid stevia.
- Add ice cubes to the pitcher or individual glasses. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves before serving. Refrigerate for up to 3 days if not serving immediately.
Notes
Adjust sweetness according to personal preference.
For a sparkling version, replace part of the water with chilled sparkling water before serving.
Add muddled berries for a fruity twist.
Stir well before serving as natural sweeteners may settle.
Freeze in ice cube trays for a frozen lemonade option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 8 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
