13 Ways To Make Store-Bought Lemonade More Flavorful

During the summertime, there's nothing more refreshing than a glass of homemade lemonade. Sometimes, though, life gives you lemons that you don't have time to squeeze, and you have to settle for a store-bought version of your favorite sunny day beverage. While it may not taste as fresh and flavorful as the lemonade you make from scratch, the bottled drink can come in handy in a pinch — and even taste almost as delicious as the real thing with a few creative additions.

There are several ways to transform your store-bought lemonade from basic to brilliant, giving it the vibrant zing that it may lack. For instance, just a pinch of salt or a squeeze of something sweet can instantly elevate the sweet-tart beverage, as can a handful of muddled herbs from your summer garden or fresh fruit you just bought from a local farmers market. Whether you're sipping the cool drink solo on your porch or sharing it with family and friends at a backyard BBQ or picnic, these simple additions can turn a premade lemonade into a custom-crafted refreshment.

Not only will adding fresh fruit to your store-bought lemonade give the drink a pretty color, it'll add plenty of flavor as a bonus. Muddling fruit into lemonade is a simple yet transformative way to elevate its flavor and visual appeal. There's something indulgent about infusing drinks with berries, citrus, and stone fruits, and the process will give the beverage a rustic, handcrafted texture. When you gently crush and press fruit at the peak of ripeness, its natural juices and aromatic oils are released. When added to bottled lemonade, the juices and oils will give the drink layered flavor notes and a bit of earthiness.

Muddling blueberries into your lemonade will lend a bright hue as well as a healthy, antioxidant boost since the fruit is known as a "superfood" revered for its disease-fighting powers. If the store-bought lemonade is especially tart, ripe blueberries can also sweeten it up a bit. Juicy strawberries also make a delicious and colorful addition to lemonade, as do fresh peaches. To muddle the fruit of your choice, you can either mash it up with a muddler, which is used like a pestle, or throw them into a food processor or a blender and mix until smooth. If you prefer a smoother texture, run the juice through a fine mesh strainer before adding to the lemonade.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking ... pickle juice in lemonade? But really, it makes perfect sense. Both treats are a little bit sweet (depending on the type of pickles you're eating) and a little bit sassy, with a tart bite. Adding pickle juice to lemonade might sound unconventional, but the dynamic duo creates a bold and surprisingly refreshing flavor profile. The brininess of the pickles blends well with the vibrant citrus sharpness of the lemonade, resulting in a crave-worthy summer sipper. Whether you're an adventurous foodie or are just looking for a conversation-starting beverage at your next party, pickle lemonade is sure to tickle your taste buds. The creative beverage is especially beneficial on sweltering hot days, or when you're doing a lot of physical activity, since pickle juice contains hydrating electrolytes.

You can customize the lemony beverage by choosing from spicy, dill, or sweet bread-and-butter style pickle juice. If you're not sure if you'll like this quirky combo or not, just start by adding a touch of pickle juice to your bottled lemonade, and slowly increase the amount to your liking. A couple of tablespoons of pickle juice to 1 cup of lemonade is the recommended ratio, and will allow you to taste each flavor without one overpowering the other. Pour over ice and garnish with fresh dill for visual appeal. The next time you eat the last pickle in a jar, save the juice for this culinary sensation.

If there's a bottle of lemonade and some coconut milk hanging out in your refrigerator, you have everything you need to concoct a fancy summer drink. There's no need to spend a lot of money making delicious frozen beverages for your next pool party when whipped frozen lemonade is so easy to make. What makes this combination so refreshing is the thirst-quenching goodness of the lemonade and the creaminess of the coconut milk, which tastes reminiscent of a tangy, fruity milkshake. You can tweak the recipe to accommodate dietary concerns by using light instead of full-fat coconut milk, and even sugar-free lemonade. Whipped lemonade is a guilt-free way to indulge in rich and creamy summer treats, all in the comfort of your air-conditioned home.

To make this sweet and sour sensation, you can ensure a stronger, more lemony flavor by freezing some of your store-bought lemonade in ice cube trays, and using them instead of regular cubes. Blend the cubes, lemonade, and either bottled or canned coconut milk, depending on your preference, in a blender until it's smooth and creamy. You can add some simple syrup or even honey to the mix if it's not sweet enough for your taste. As another fun idea, booze your frozen lemonade up with a bit of coconut rum for the adults. Pour the icy concoction into a sugar-rimmed glass and garnish with a mint leaf as a festive touch.

Adding frozen fruit to your bottled lemonade is another way to transform the beverage into a cooling summer treat. Adding either one or a combination of different frozen fruits to your lemonade is an easy way to take the tangy drink to another level. It's also a deliciously practical way to chill your lemonade while also adding a lot of fresh flavor, and in some cases, a touch of sweetness. Another benefit of using frozen fruit to turn your lemonade into a juicy slushy is that it won't dilute the drink the same way that ice cubes can. Infusing your store-bought lemonade with the icy fruit will also give the typically pale drink a vibrant color, which will liven up any summer party table.

A wide variety of frozen fruits will work here, from all types of berries to peaches. Blueberries will add a gentle tartness to the lemonade, while strawberries lend a summery flair. If you crave something tropical, blend frozen pineapple or mango into your lemonade. To make the icy concoction more decadent, add a scoop or two of either vanilla or a fruit-flavored ice cream. If you prefer a bit more tartness, squeeze in some fresh lemon or lime juice.

For some lemonade lovers, the store-bought version of their favorite beverage just isn't sweet enough. While there are a variety of ingredients you can add to sweeten the drink, including cane sugar or agave syrup, pure honey gives it distinct earthy and even floral notes. Adding honey to bottled lemonade introduces a warm sweetness that elevates the beverage beyond its classic tart simplicity. Basic sugar or simple sugar will do the trick, but they lack the subtle flowery flavor that honey has. Since honey is sourced from a variety of blooms, such as wildflowers, clovers, or orange blossoms, each bottle has its nuance.

Not only does honey give lemonade added sweetness and flavor, it also easily dissolves in a cold glass, unlike sugar crystals. Honey also pairs well with most other lemonade-enhancing ingredients, whether you've added fresh herbs, fruit, or even coconut milk to the mix. If you're craving lemonade that tastes both rustic and refined, give your next cup a few squeezes of all-natural, golden honey. Don't worry if you have a heavy hand and add a bit too much honey — a squeeze or two of fresh lemon juice will balance the sweet and tart levels.

There's something decidedly decadent about sitting on your porch on sultry summer day, sipping a glass of lemonade infused with fresh herbs from your garden or the farmers market. Although it sounds like a lot of work, you can achieve this blissful beverage with a bottle of store-bought lemonade. Adding herbs to the beverage will give it a refreshing, unexpected twist, as well as an aromatic complexity. Awaken your senses with cool, invigorating mint, or add depth with fresh rosemary, which has a piney flavor, or earthy thyme. If you love the peppery sweetness of basil, it will work wonderfully in your lemonade, especially when paired with a sweet fruit such as strawberries. Not only will fresh herbs lend flavor and aesthetic value, they'll turn a basic glass of lemonade into something a bit more sophisticated.

While you can just sprinkle the fresh herbs on top of the store-bought lemonade, or stir a few leaves or stems into the drink, muddling them first will release their essential oils for a more intense taste. You can also simmer the herbs in water with sugar to create a handcrafted syrup. This works especially well with lavender, which will enhance the lemonade with deep floral notes. Add a splash of sparkling water for a fizzy, fruity mocktail, or turn your herbal drink into a summer cocktail by adding gin, vodka, or any other spirit you desire.

Edible flowers can do a lot more than just make your bottled lemonade look pretty — they can make it taste even more delicious as well. Edible flower-infused lemonade may sound like something you can only experience at a fancy eatery, it's simple to make at home. Adding edible flowers to the beverage turns a simple refreshment into a botanical masterpiece, blending beauty with subtle flavor. Blooms such as hibiscus, rose, elderflower, and lavender can be steeped into lemonade as a floral infusion, while other edible petals make a better garnish. These eye-catching flowers include pansies, violets, and nasturtiums, which will float like edible confetti on top of your lemonade glasses.

Each type of edible bloom is known to add a particular flavor or color to beverages, desserts, and other dishes. For instance, hibiscus provides tartness and a rich, ruby hue, while rose petals lend a romantic sweetness. Lavender has a calming effect, both in color and flavor. As one idea, use the edible flowers to create a flavorful simple syrup, and freeze a few in ice cubes for a stunning visual presentation in your lemonade glass. Floral ice brightens up like a beautiful frozen bouquet.

One simple yet effective way of elevating your store-bought lemonade is with a variety of different syrups. You can use one favorite flavor to create a craft lemonade, or combine a few different ones if you're feeling especially adventurous. Start with a high-quality flavored syrup, and add as little or as much to your glass of lemonade to create your perfect blend and level of sweetness. Adding flavored syrups to lemonade is like giving a classic beverage a modern remix with a variety of bold, fun flavors. You can go the fruity route with raspberry-, peach-, and strawberry-flavored syrups, or get tropical with pineapple- and mango-inspired sweeteners. Some gourmet syrup lines also offer floral and herbal flavors, including lavender, rosemary, basil, and refreshing mint. These earthy syrups offer a layered flavor profile, as well as an aromatic touch.

If you're hosting a summer party, set up a lemonade bar filled with a variety of different syrup flavors so that guests can customize their beverages. You can also offer fresh fruit and herbs to add even more flavor and color to the signature sips. Provide both regular and sugar-free syrups to accommodate all of your guests' dietary needs.

Some like it hot, even when it comes to their iced beverages. One way to take your lemonade from boring to memorable is by infusing it with a pepper and spice. Adding these unexpected elements to your bottled lemonade creates a bold, unexpected taste that wakes up the palate. The combination of citrus tang with fiery zing is a flavor fusion only foodies may be able to appreciate. The spicy ingredients will introduce just enough heat to add complexity and mystery to the beverage, and tastefully contrast with lemonade's familiar brightness.

To create the spicy, invigorating drink of your summer dreams, start by adding just a pinch of cayenne powder to your lemonade, or stir in a bit of muddled jalapeño or red chiles. Green chiles will also spice up your lemonade for a zestier sip. Start with small amounts of heat and slowly add more to suit your taste. You can also add fresh fruit, such as strawberries or mango, for even more flavor. For a fun touch and impressive visual presentation, rim your lemonade glass with tangy Tajin spice.

Rimming your glass with either sugar or salt adds a special oomph to many beverages, including lemonade. For convenience, you can use either plain or store-bought flavored sugar or salt, or make a handcrafted version. Making fancy sugar or salt might sound too time-consuming, but you can whip up a batch in a matter of minutes. While lemonade tastes delicious on its own on a hot summer day, sipping it from a rimmed glass adds a touch of elegance and whimsy, and is perfect for special occasions. Sugar and salt rims will turn even a plain glass of lemonade into something special, and are especially ideal for citrus-based cocktails, such as spiked pink ladies and Kentucky lemonades.

To rim your lemonade glass like a pro, start by rubbing a lemon wedge over it to create a wet surface that the sugar or salt will easily stick to. Next, choose your sugar or salt of choice. Go for a fun pop of color with vibrant rainbow sugar sprinkles, or add an expected flavor profile with smoked or chile lime salt. Other options include basic cane sugar, sea salt, or Himalayan salt, which has a pretty pink hue.

Store-bought lemonade provides the perfect base for delicious summer cocktails. Adding booze to lemonade transforms a classic childhood drink into a grown-up beverage ideal for backyard barbecues and other summer-inspired parties. Whether you want to indulge in a refreshing boozy drink at a lazy backyard gathering or sip one at a spirited soiree, spiked lemonade has you covered. There are a variety of different liquors that work well with lemonade, depending on what flavor profile you desire. For instance, vodka lends a crisp, clean kick to citrusy drinks, while bourbon has warm, caramel notes that blend well with honey. Blue Curaçao will turn your lemonade into a refreshing, electrically-hued beverage you'll want to sip all summer.  If you want a botanical edge, gin will give your lemonade a hint of floral. Tequila is your go-to booze for a glass of margarita-inspired lemonade.

You can serve the boozy lemonade on the rocks, or blend it with ice cubes or frozen fruit for an icy beverage. Serve the boozy lemonade in a frosty pitcher, along with fresh herbs, such as sprigs of lavender and rosemary, for garnishing.

Sprinkling salt into your lemonade is an easy step that will instantly enhance a boring bottle of store-bought lemonade. Adding this simple seasoning to your glass of lemonade gives it the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tart, making it the ideal thirst-quenching summer sipper. Adding a pinch of salt to your lemonade may seem counterintuitive, but it subtly enhances the flavor of the beverage by tempering the tartness and amplifying the natural sweetness. If your lemonade tastes a bit bitter, a dash of salt can help reduce that as well. Salt will also add electrolytes to the citrusy drink, making it even more hydrating on a hot summer day or after exercising.

In addition to the salt, you can also add a splash of carbonated water to the lemonade for a fizzy touch. If you need to balance out the saltiness and tartness, stir in some agave syrup or simple syrup made with cane sugar. For a pop of color, top the glass with a sprinkle of fresh mint leaves, which will also infuse the drink with a refreshing flavor.

Adding either homemade or premade preserved lemons to your lemonade will give it a bold, complex flavor that combines salty, tangy, and sweet elements for an unforgettable drink. Preserved lemons lend a deeper flavor than their fresh counterparts can deliver alone, and introduce a savory, slightly fermented note to the beverage. Their saltiness will also enhance the lemonade's natural sweetness, transforming the drink into an icy gourmet treat. Preserved lemons add a layer of flavor that you won't find in basic, store-bought lemonade.

You can make traditional Vietnamese preserved lemons by rubbing partially sliced quarters of the fresh fruit with salt, placing them in a glass jar, and then pouring a salty brine on top. Allow the sealed jars to sit at room temperature for a minimum of three weeks before using the preserved lemons, to allow them to ferment. After adding the preserved lemons to your lemonade, you can also splash in some carbonated water for a fizzy drink.