Refreshing Mint Lemonade Recipe You’ll Love to Sip

Name: Refreshing Mint Lemonade
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Fresh lemons: about 6 large (enough for 1 cup of juice); Fresh mint: 1 packed cup leaves, plus extra for garnish; Sugar or honey: 1/2 to 3/4 cup, to taste; Cold water: 4 cups, divided; Ice: plenty; Optional: pinch of salt to enhance flavor, lemon slices for serving

By:

Claire

November 19, 2025

Fresh mint lemonade in a tall glass with ice, lemon slices, and mint on a wooden table.

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

mint lemonade recipe cravings hit me at the weirdest times. One minute I am answering emails, the next I am daydreaming about frosty glasses, clinking ice, and that bright citrus zing. If you are trying to build a simple summer ritual, you are in the right spot. This is my go to sip when I want something fresh and a little fancy without any fuss. And if you like tinkering in the kitchen like I do, you might also get a kick out of my experiments like this tasty Buona Beef Tuna Genovese copycat recipe. Stick with me and you will have a pitcher ready in minutes.

Table Of Contents show

Mint Lemonade Ingredients

If you are like me, you want refreshment without a grocery run. This lineup is minimal, clean, and totally customizable. The secret to a truly Refreshing Mint Lemonade Recipe You’ll Love to Sip is balancing bright lemon with cool mint, then sweetening just enough so nothing tastes sharp.

Fresh lemons: about 6 large, enough for 1 cup of juice
Fresh mint: 1 packed cup leaves, plus extra for garnish
Sugar or honey: 1/2 to 3/4 cup, to taste
Cold water: 4 cups, divided
Ice: plenty
Optional: pinch of salt to enhance flavor, lemon slices for serving

Why these amounts work: 1 cup lemon juice gives bright bite without being harsh, mint brings cooling aroma that pairs naturally with citrus, and the sweetener rounds everything out. Adjust to your mood, the weather, and how tart your lemons are. When I make a big batch for friends, I lean slightly sweeter because ice dilutes the mix as it melts.

Yield: 4 tall glasses. Time: 10 to 15 minutes. Skill: easy breezy.

How to Make Mint Lemonade

You have options here. I am sharing the fastest method and a slightly fancier twist. Both taste amazing, so pick your vibe. If you crave a tropical vibe later, my blender is usually already out because I also make this beachy Bahama Mama Tropical Smoothie when I want extra fruit fun.

Make a quick mint syrup

In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water. Warm gently and stir until the sugar disappears. Take it off the heat, toss in 1/2 cup mint leaves, and let it sit 5 minutes. Strain and chill. This gives pure mint flavor without bits of leaf floating around.

Juice the lemons

Roll lemons on the counter with your palm to loosen juice. Cut and squeeze until you have 1 cup. If you are sensitive to pulp or seeds, strain it. I usually do a quick strain so the lemonade looks clear and bright.

Blend for a frothy finish

In a blender, combine lemon juice, the mint syrup, 3 cups cold water, and a pinch of salt. Add a handful of fresh mint and a cup of ice if you love a frothy top. Blend 15 to 20 seconds. Taste. If you want sweeter, blend in another tablespoon of sugar or honey. If it is too tart, splash in more water.

Serve and store

Fill glasses with ice, pour, and garnish with lemon slices and mint. For a pitcher, keep it in the fridge up to 3 days. The mint aroma fades over time, so I tuck extra fresh leaves into the pitcher right before serving. This step keeps the Refreshing Mint Lemonade Recipe You’ll Love to Sip feeling vibrant every time.

Recipe Variations

Once you have the base down, you can play. Here are some of my favorite spins on classic mint lemonade without complicating your life.

Sparkling mint lemonade: Swap 2 cups of the water for chilled club soda. Add the bubbles right before pouring so it stays lively.

Honey mint lemonade: Stir 1/2 to 3/4 cup warm honey into your lemon juice and water. Honey adds floral depth and a softer sweetness. If your honey is thick, dissolve it in a bit of hot water first.

Berry mint lemonade: Blend 1 cup strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries with a little water, then strain and add to the pitcher. The color and aroma are so pretty for picnics.

Frozen mint lemonade: Crave a slushy? Blend the base with 3 cups ice until smooth. It is like summer cloud in a glass.

Mint limeade: Swap lemons for limes for a zippy twist. I sometimes mix half lemon and half lime for a cheerful balance.

And if you are in a mint mood for dessert too, these fun Christmas cream cheese mints are a sweet little bite that pairs nicely after a meal.

Helpful Tips

Years of making lemonade for porch hangs taught me a few small tricks. None are fancy, but they make a real difference in taste and texture. They also help you repeat this Refreshing Mint Lemonade Recipe You’ll Love to Sip with confidence.

Pick juicy lemons: Thin skinned lemons usually give more juice. Give them a gentle squeeze at the store. Slightly heavy is good.
Use cool water: Cold water keeps flavors crisp and minimizes bitterness.
Do not overblend mint: Thirty seconds is plenty. Overblending can make the drink taste grassy.
Balance to taste: Your lemons might be sweeter or more tart than mine. Taste, adjust, sip again.
Salt unlocks flavor: A tiny pinch deepens both mint and lemon. You won’t taste salt, only more brightness.
Make ahead: Mix lemon juice, sweetener, and water. Add mint right before serving to keep that fresh aroma.
Garnish smart: Clap mint between your hands to wake up the oils, then tuck into the glass.

Peppermint or Spearmint?

Both work beautifully, and each gives a slightly different vibe. Peppermint is colder and sharper on the tongue. Spearmint is softer, a little sweeter, and often what people expect in a classic lemonade. For a crowd, I generally choose spearmint because it feels easygoing and universally friendly. For a head clearing sip after a heavy meal, peppermint is my move. You can even blend them for a layered result that plays well with citrus.

Tip from my kitchen: if your mint is strong, start with half the amount, taste, then add more. You want the lemon to shine while mint cools everything down. Either way, you are cruising toward a Refreshing Mint Lemonade Recipe You’ll Love to Sip that suits your taste buds.

Common Questions

Can I make this with bottled lemon juice?
Fresh is best for flavor and aroma. If bottled is all you have, use a good brand and add a bit more mint and a little extra sweetener to smooth the edges.

How do I keep mint from turning brown?
Add mint closer to serving. If blending, keep the blend quick and cold. Avoid hot syrup directly on mint for too long.

Is there a low sugar option?
Yes. Start with 2 to 3 tablespoons sugar or honey, taste, and adjust. You can also use stevia or monk fruit, then add a bit of honey for body if you like. The drink still tastes amazing with less sweetness.

Can I make a big batch for a party?
Absolutely. Multiply the recipe by 3 or 4. Mix lemon, water, and sweetener ahead, then add crushed mint and ice right before guests arrive to keep the flavor bright.

What should I serve with mint lemonade?
Light snacks, grilled chicken, simple salads, and fresh fruit all love it. For a fun beverage board, you can also put out a pitcher of mint lemonade beside the fruity vibes of my 5 ingredient ice water hack for a chill mix and match moment.

A sunny sip to make again soon

That is my whole method for a Refreshing Mint Lemonade Recipe You’ll Love to Sip that never fails. Keep it simple, taste as you go, and let fresh mint do the heavy lifting. If you want a lighter approach, this take on Mint Lemonade with lower sugar is a nice read. For more inspiration, I like the vibrant spin in Moribyan’s Mint Lemonade and the fresh classic technique in Maureen Abood’s recipe. Now grab those lemons and mint, and treat yourself to a glass today.