Summertime and lemonade; whether you’re hanging out by the pool or cruising the local amusement park, it’s the classic warm-weather combination. Who doesn’t enjoy a tall, cool glass of liquid sunshine on a hot day? (Whoever has to hang out in the kitchen squeezing lemons on a breezy afternoon, that’s who.) 

Homemade lemonade is simple to make — just lemons, sugar, and water. But it’s labor-intensive. Unless you have a juice extractor, it can take time to make, which could be better spent basking in the sunshine. 

Using bottled lemon juice or a drink mix can make decent lemonade. It’s faster to make than fresh-squeezed but can be expensive and sour, requiring more sugar than is necessarily healthy to make it palatable.

The solution to the lemonade dilemma is simple. We’ve done a taste test and compiled a list of the best-tasting store-bought lemonade brands to fuel your summertime dreams. These are great choices on their own, blended with fresh fruit, or mixed with iced tea for an extra refreshing drink. Grab your hat and sunscreen, make yourself comfortable in your favorite deck chair, and get ready to enjoy a tall glass of sweet lemonade.

1. Me & The Bees Classic Lemonade 12oz Btl

See what all the buzz is about. Me & The Bees Classic Lemonade is slightly sweet and tart like a good old-fashioned lemonade. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, you’ll think it’s the bees-knees. And without caffeine or no high-fructose corn syrup, you’ll want to share this natural lemonade with your hive.

$3.99

2. Swoon Classic Lemonade 12oz can

Swoon Lemonade tastes like the one you loved growing up. It's delicious, refreshing, and has zero calories. The perfect amount of sweetness comes from monk fruit, not artificial sweeteners. What else can we say? It’s a classic and the best low sugar store-bought lemonade in the grocery store.

$2.99

3. Minute Maid Lemonade 2L Btl

Sweet, crisp, and fresh, Minute Maid Lemonade is the ultimate summertime refreshment. Its natural lemon flavor lends a refreshing citrusy tang to any warm-weather meal, whether you're grilling up franks in the backyard or picnicking in the park.

$3.99

4. Simply Lemonade 52oz

Images of fresh lemons, simple ingredients, and hot summer days all come to mind when you think of “lemonade.” Simply Lemonade bottles the taste of that classic lemonade. Made with real lemon juice and other all-natural ingredients, it’s everything you love about lemonade.

$5.99

5. AriZona Arnold Palmer Half & Half Iced Tea Lemonade 34oz Btl

Hit the links with a legend in a bottle. Arizona’s legendary flavor combination of half iced tea and half lemonade is known for its refreshing taste and ability to revive the senses after a competitive round of golf. Made with real brewed tea and natural lemon juice — this drink can’t be beaten.

$2.99

6. Santa Cruz Lemonade 32oz

Santa Cruz Organic Lemonade is a longstanding summertime favorite. Feel good knowing it’s blended from certified organic sugar and lemons and made without gluten, artificial flavors, or GMO ingredients. This beverage beats the heat and tantalizes taste buds thanks to its light lemonade taste.

$3.89

7. Langers Lemonade 64oz

Resting and relaxing with family and friends gets infinitely better when you add an ice-cold glass of lemonade. Langers’ lemonade is sweet, tart, so refreshing, and chock full of vitamin C. Perfect for enjoying those long, lazy days of summer — all year long.

$5.99

8. Calypso Lemonade Strawberry 16oz

Strawberry’s sweet ying is lemon’s tart yang and comes together perfectly in Calypso’s Strawberry Lemonade. It’s a refreshing all-natural product that blends real strawberries with their original lemonade recipe. Indulge in the best store-bought strawberry lemonade anywhere.

$1.99

9. Tropicana Lemonade 52oz

Put a sunny smile on your face. Tropicana Lemonade has no artificial sweeteners or flavors, just pure, simple ingredients. The only thing you’ll taste when you open a bottle of Tropicana lemonade is the refreshing, freshly squeezed lemon taste in every sip.

$3.99

10. Nantucket Nectars Squeezed Lemonade 16oz

Nantucket Nectars Squeezed Lemonade isn’t made from concentrate but blended from all-natural ingredients and packed with the tangy flavor of freshly squeezed lemons. Experience the refreshing taste of a premium quality fruit juice with every sip of Nantucket Nectars Squeezed Lemonade.

$2.19

11. Turkey Hill Lemonade 64oz

Cool off beneath the sun and taste the goodness with Turkey Hill’s classic all-natural flavor. The timeless goodness of our signature lemonade is an ideal refreshment no matter what the season. Succulent lemon with just the right amount of sweetness makes Turkey Hill Lemonade stand the test of time. 

$3.49

FAQ

What’s the healthiest store-bought lemonade?

As much as we love a good lemonade, we have to face facts. It’s a sugary drink loaded with carbs. But it’s absolutely thirst-quenching as an occasional treat.There are ways to make it healthier. Look for lemonade brands that are lightly sweetened naturally using honey or cane sugars. You can also go with a brand with zero sugar, like Swoon Classic Lemonade, sweetened with monk fruit if you’re avoiding carbohydrates.

You can make lemonade healthier by buying a brand that doesn’t use lemon juice concentrate, artificial flavors, or colors in their juice. Nantucket Nectars Squeezed Lemonade, Tropicana Lemonade, and Simply Lemonade use simple ingredients to craft their drinks. If you want to do good for the planet, you can also find an organic option like Santa Cruz Lemonade, which uses only certified organic ingredients.

These options make for a healthier beverage; we’ve found that they also make for the best store-bought lemonade. So really, it’s a win-win for everyone. 

How do I make store-bought lemonade better?

Nothing beats homemade lemonade. It tastes great and you can control the amount of sugar. But not everyone has the time to make it, and that’s fine. No judgments. But you can doctor store-bought lemonade to make it homier. 

Fruit. Add some of your favorite fruit or their juices to your lemonade. Lemon’s tart flavor compliments berries’ sweetness, so try mixing fresh strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries into your lemonade and let it infuse in the refrigerator for a few hours. Watermelon works great, too; just cut off the rind. You’ll have a delicious, fruity pink lemonade without the artificial coloring.

Iced Tea. Lemon is a perfect complement to hot tea, but what about the cold? Simply put, it’s delicious and refreshing. Try blending iced tea and lemonade for a classic Arnold Palmer for a drink that’s a hole-in-one. 

Herbs. Hear us out. Adding fresh herbs like rosemary, mint, or lavender transforms lemonade from an everyday drink into a gourmet beverage experience. Wow, your guests at your next BBQ. They’ll be begging you for the recipe.

What alcohol goes best with lemonade?

Who says lemonade’s just for kids. Blending tart lemonade with alcohol is a time-honored grown-up bevy.

Mike's Hard Lemonade is the classic pre-mixed version, but if you want to craft your own cocktail, you can add gin, tequila, or use lemonade instead of ginger beer for a tart twist on a Moscow Mule. If you’re looking for an out-of-the-ordinary summer cocktail, why not try a Lynchburg Lemonade? It’s a refreshing hot-weather drink made with Jack Daniels and triple sec.

Lemonade’s tangy flavor also complements the beer. Try mixing some into your favorite lager for a thirst-busting shandy. When it comes to spiking lemonade, the sky’s the limit. Experiment and have fun with your refreshment. It’s what laid-back summertime is for.