Why you’ll love this rose lemonade
A few weeks ago – well, more like a few months ago – I went to a local coffee shop called Kavarna after spending the morning at the Green Bay Farmer’s Market.
It’s a cute, little place that serves tasty, wholesome food and unlimited iced coffee refills. Yes, unlimited refills. But, my favorite thing was the rose water lemonade. It reminded me so much of my favorite rose macarons at Ladureé in Paris.
This rose water lemonade features the same floral notes as those macarons, but the tartness of the lemonade stands on its own, adding a complex yet subtle flavor. It’s the perfect drink for a hot, summer day and it makes a great mocktail option for brunch.
More mocktail recipes: passion fruit mocktail / strawberry mocktail mule / frozen cherry limeade
Ingredient notes:
- Rose water – You can find rose water in the international or baking aisle of most grocery stores, or online. Make sure it’s a culinary rose water. Some brands are formulated for skincare/beauty and should not be consumed.
- Lemonade – You can use homemade lemonade or buy some at the store. We typically just buy ours because life is busy, but fresh squeezed lemonade would make this extra special.
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
Melissa’s tips & tricks
- Adjust to taste. Rose water varies in strength by brand. Start with 1/4 cup, taste, and add more a tablespoon at a time if you want a more pronounced floral flavor.
- Garnish ideas. My favorite way to garnish this is with a simple lemon wheel, but fresh or dried rose petals also make a really pretty presentation.
Frequently asked questions
What does rose water taste like?
Rose water has a light, floral flavor that’s subtle when used in the right proportions (similar to recipes that are infused with lavender), and it actually works really well with the tart flavor of lemon.
Where can I buy rose water?
Most grocery stores carry it in the international foods aisle or baking section. You can also find it easily online. Look for food-grade rose water, not rose extract, which is much more concentrated.
How long does rose lemonade last?
Store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the ice separate and add it when serving so the lemonade doesn’t get watered down.
More drink recipes you’ll: pina colada smoothie / watermelon moscow mule / non alcoholic sangria / dirty chai latte
Ingredients
- 6 cups lemonade
- 1/4 cup rose water
Instructions
- Mix the lemonade. Fill a large pitcher with lemonade and rose water. Add a cup of ice and stir until well combined. Stirring with the ice will chill the rose lemonade as well as mixing the ingredients. If you are not planning on serving this right away, stir to combine without the ice and refrigerate.
- Serve over ice. Pour lemonade over ice in a glass and garnish with a lemon wheel. You'll want to serve over lots and lots of ice because it's summer and really cold drinks are the best – especially when they taste like flowers.
