Make your own easy raspberry lemonade with this simple semi-homemade recipe. It is bright, refreshing, and made with just two main ingredients.
Cheers to warm weather, sunny afternoons, and a cold glass of 2-Ingredient Raspberry Lemonade. This easy raspberry lemonade recipe is a quick, semi-homemade drink that tastes fruity, sweet, tart, and wonderfully refreshing over ice.
The best part is how simple it is. You only need frozen lemonade concentrate and raspberries. Fresh raspberries work beautifully, and frozen raspberries are just as convenient when berries are not in season. Blend the berries into a smooth purée, stir them into prepared lemonade, and you have a colorful pitcher ready for summer gatherings, cookouts, showers, brunches, or a relaxing afternoon on the porch.
Fresh mint is optional, but it gives the drink a pretty finish and a light herbal aroma. If you want a grown-up version, you can also turn this into boozy raspberry lemonade with vodka. Instructions for that variation are included below.
This recipe was inspired by a Southern church cookbook from the 1980s. It has the kind of easy, crowd-pleasing charm that feels perfect for bridal showers, baby showers, ladies’ luncheons, and backyard parties. It is simple enough for everyday sipping, but pretty enough to serve to guests.
Ingredients
- Frozen lemonade concentrate is the base of the recipe. Look for it in the freezer section, often near the frozen fruit. Prepare it according to the package directions before adding the raspberry purée.
- Raspberries add the beautiful pink color and fresh berry flavor. You can use fresh or frozen raspberries. If using frozen berries, thaw them first for easier blending.
- Fresh mint is optional, but it makes the pitcher and glasses look especially inviting. It is a simple garnish that makes the drink feel special.
How to make easy raspberry lemonade
Start by defrosting the frozen lemonade concentrate. You can leave it on the countertop until softened, or place it in the refrigerator until it is fully thawed. If you are using frozen raspberries, thaw those as well. They do not need to be perfectly room temperature; slightly slushy raspberries will still blend well.
Prepare the lemonade concentrate according to the directions on the package. Pour it into a large pitcher and add the required amount of water. Stir well so the concentrate is fully mixed and the lemonade is smooth.
Next, place the raspberries in a blender with ¼ cup of water. Blend on high until the mixture becomes a smooth raspberry purée. A food processor can also be used, but a blender usually creates a smoother texture and is often easier to rinse clean afterward.
If you prefer a very smooth raspberry lemonade, strain the purée through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds. Use a spoon or spatula to press the purée through the strainer, then discard the seeds. If you do not mind raspberry seeds in the drink, you can skip this step and use the purée as it is.
Pour the raspberry purée into the pitcher of prepared lemonade. Stir until the lemonade turns an even rosy pink color. Add a few extra raspberries and fresh mint leaves to the pitcher for garnish, if desired.
To serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the raspberry lemonade over the top. Garnish each glass with fresh mint and a few raspberries. Serve right away while the drink is cold and refreshing.
Make it ahead
This raspberry lemonade is a great make-ahead beverage. Prepare it up to 48 hours in advance and store it tightly covered in the refrigerator. The raspberry purée may settle slightly as it chills, so give the pitcher a good stir before serving.
For the freshest presentation, wait to add mint and extra raspberries until shortly before serving. This keeps the garnish looking bright and fresh in the pitcher and glasses.
Variations
This easy lemonade recipe is simple to customize. Try one of these ideas when you want a slightly different flavor or presentation.
- Replace the raspberries with 2 cups of blueberries for blueberry lemonade.
- Use 2 cups, or 1 pint, of strawberries to make strawberry lemonade. If using frozen strawberries, thaw them before blending.
- Add vodka for a boozy raspberry lemonade. The method is explained below and in the recipe notes.
- Make it sparkling by replacing the water used to prepare the lemonade concentrate with sparkling water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you already have a favorite homemade lemonade recipe, you can use it as the base. Prepare one large pitcher of fresh lemonade, then stir in the raspberry purée from this recipe.
Yes. To make strawberry lemonade, substitute 1 pint, or about 2 cups, of fresh strawberries for the raspberries. Blend them with the water as directed. If using frozen strawberries, thaw them first.
Place frozen raspberries in the refrigerator overnight, or leave them at room temperature for 1–2 hours. They can still be a little slushy when blended.
How to make boozy raspberry lemonade
Vodka is an easy way to turn this recipe into a boozy raspberry lemonade for adults. To make it, reduce the amount of water used to prepare the lemonade concentrate by 1 cup.
After mixing the concentrate with the remaining water, add 1 cup of good-quality vodka to the pitcher. Stir in the raspberry purée as directed, then chill until ready to serve. Pour over ice and garnish with mint and raspberries.
More summer beverages
- Mango mojitos are a fruity summer cocktail option.
- Homemade ginger ale has a fresh ginger flavor.
- A peach apricot bellini is lovely with brunch.
- A pitcher of blueberry mojitos is refreshing for summer entertaining.
Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a rating or comment below.
📖 Recipe
2-Ingredient Raspberry Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 can frozen lemonade concentrate
- 6 oz raspberries (plus more for garnish)
- Fresh mint, for garnish
Instructions
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Defrost the lemonade concentrate, then prepare it according to the package directions in a large pitcher.
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Rinse the raspberries and place them in a blender with ¼ cup water. Blend on high until smooth.
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For a smoother drink, strain the raspberry purée through a fine mesh strainer and discard the seeds.
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Stir the raspberry purée into the prepared lemonade until fully combined.
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Serve over ice with fresh mint and additional raspberries.
Notes
Make it boozy: replace 1 cup of the water used to prepare the concentrate with 1 cup vodka.
Make it sparkling: replace the water used to prepare the concentrate with sparkling water.
This recipe can also be made with homemade lemonade. Prepare one large pitcher of lemonade, then stir in the raspberry purée.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Protein: 1 g
Fat: 1 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Sodium: 5 mg
Potassium: 95 mg
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 34 g
Vitamin A: 9 IU
Vitamin C: 17 mg
Calcium: 12 mg
Iron: 1 mg
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