The Best Easy Healthy Sugar-Free Lemonade
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This healthy sugar-free lemonade recipe is super simple to make, uses just a few wholesome ingredients, and is the perfect balance of tangy and sweet. It helps you stay hydrated and healthy on hot summer days, and all throughout the year!
Lemonade is known by many as the perfect summertime drink, but for me, it's my all year round favorite drink.
This healthy lemonade is of course great to have on a hot summer day, but it's also a great low calorie way to stay hydrated and also to stave off sweet cravings without all the added sugar. It's also loaded with nutrition from vitamin C to minerals to phytonutrients.
Why This Is the Best Healthy Lemonade. Period.
In my opinion, I think this is the best healthy lemonade out there, and possibly the best lemonade period. Here's why.
- It's the easiest.
- It's super flexible (as a most of my recipes) to help you choose whatever ingredients you would like to use for your diet.
- It uses basic ingredients that many people will already have in their pantry. No need to shop for exotic sweeteners.
- It's frugal. While you can choose to use more expensive sweeteners, there's no need.
- It's the perfect balance of sweet and sour.
- It has healthy whole food ingredients: no white sugar and no icky additives.
- Finally, that added extra something: a dash of salt. It makes all the difference.
Ingredients
Here's a short list of ingredients you'll need. For the full details, see the recipe card below.
- water
- bottled or fresh lemon juice
- sweetener of choice (I prefer pure stevia extract)
- salt
Directions
Here are the basic directions. For the full directions, scroll down to the recipe card below.
- 1. Squeeze the lemons (if using fresh lemons).
- 2. Add lemon juice to the pitcher. Add water.
- 3. Add sweetener. Stir to combine.
- 4. Add ice to the pitcher, if desired.
- 5. Garnish, if desired.
Why Make Your Own Sugar-free Lemonade
Clean Ingredients
What I don't love about regular lemonade is how much sugar it has in it. And that's not to mention the not-so-savory ingredients in packaged lemonade drinks and powders like the ever-popular Country Time Lemonade. Get a load of this list:
high fructose corn syrup, modified cornstarch, glycerol ester of rosin, sodium benzoate, potassium sobate, calcium disodium EDTA, and yellow #5.
No thanks.
There's been mercury detected in high-fructose corn syrup due to the means of processing, and sugar is now being linked to all sorts of health issues.
Make this instead and be in total control of the ingredients.
Save Money
Take a look at your grocery bill and see how much you are spending on drinks: sodas, sweet drinks, and “healthy waters”?
By making your own drinks like this lemonade, you can treat your whole family to a wonderful summery drink without breaking the bank. This is one of the best tips I know of for saving on your grocery bill, but this list of tips for healthy grocery shopping on a budget has a lot more.
Consume Fewer Calories
I focus on nutrition rather than calories, but sodas and juices are pretty much full of empty, sugar-laden calories that have been implicated as part of the cause of our obesity epidemic. Some brands of lemonade in the grocery store have 29 grams of sugar per serving; that's a lot!
If you're hoping to control your weight, it's a good idea to restrict these sugar-laden drinks. Plus, I'd rather splurge on a healthy dessert than drink a soda. To quote my aunt, “I'd rather eat my calories than drink them.”
How to Store
If you'd like to have this stevia lemonade in the fridge at the ready, just mix the ingredients together, adding the ice when ready to serve. It should be kept in the fridge for about 3-5 days.
Recipe Notes, Tips, and Substitutions
Lemon Juice
Use more or less lemon juice as you'd like. 1/8 cup lemon juice is the equivalent of the juice from 1 lemon so use that approximation if using fresh lemons.
Sweeteners
You can use any sweetener you like for this lemonade. Traditional lemonade is usually made with regular sugar, but I love using pure stevia extract because it's so easy, inexpensive, dissolves easily, is readily available, and doesn't affect blood sugar.
A liquid sweetener (like liquid stevia or this sugar-free simple syrup) is the next best option since it dissolves easily.
If you're not eating low-carb or keto, honey and maple syrup are great options. For those, you'll need one-third to one-half less. This post on baking with honey has more information.
Other low-carb sweeteners can be used to make a keto lemonade, but if they're granulated, powdering the sweeteners first is key so they dissolve well.
FAQs
How many tablespoons of lemon juice is in one lemon?
A typical lemon has 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. You can either use that approximation when making this recipe (or measuring lemon juice for any recipe that uses it). I recommend squeezing the lemon juice into a bowl, and then using a measuring spoon from there.
Is sugar-free lemonade good for you?
That depends on what you think of any given sugar substitute used in processed sugar-free lemonade and what your definition of sugar-free is.
I don't like the artificial sweeteners used in most store-bought sugar-free lemonades like Nutrasweet (aspartame), Splenda (sucralose with additives), and acesulfame potassium. However, I like and use a monk fruit sweetener, allulose, xylitol, but mostly stevia extract.
Can you use ReaLemon product for making sugar-free lemonade?
You can, but I don't recommend it. That so-called “lemon juice” like “ReaLemon®” and similar knockoffs are loaded with stuff including preservatives that aren't good for you.
Can you use Meyer lemons to make this lemonade?
Yes, just keep in mind that those cute little lemons are sweeter and less acidic than traditional lemons, so your lemonade will be less sour, so you might need less sweetener.
How to Make a Single-Serving Glass
Below are the full instructions for making a pitcher of this low-carb lemonade. For those times when you just want one glass, here are the ingredients for that:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons sugar equivalent sweetener
- Homemade Protein Bars – a great easy healthy breakfast or on-the-go treat
- Easy Coconut Milk – save tons of money by making this yourself
- Homemade Taco Seasoning – better than the packets
- Pumpkin Spice Creamer – a great healthy alternative to grocery store creamers
- Healthy Easy Strawberry Lemonade – the perfect easy strawberry lemonade mix substitute
- Whole Lemon Lemonade – another lemonade option, this one includes an extra nutritious boost from the peel and all.
Homemade Sugar-Free Lemonade
Ingredients
- 64 ounces water (8 cups)
- 1 cup lemon juice (fresh squeezed or bottled)
- 1/4 teaspoon pure stevia extract (or other sweetener equivalent to 1 cup of sugar–See Recipe Notes for details)
- 1/16 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Pour water into pitcher.
- Add lemon juice and stevia or other sweetener.
- If using a granulated sweetener, mix ½ cup water and the sweetener in a pot and heat until the sweetener is dissolved. Then, once dissolved, add sweetener and water mix to remaining water.
- Stir, add ice cubes, if desired, and enjoy.
- Garnish with fresh mint, fresh strawberries, fresh pineapple, fresh lemon slices, lemon zest, or even frozen cucumbers.
Notes
- The salt is optional but I recommend not skipping it. It adds that perfect extra “thing”, plus it also adds beneficial minerals.
- Lemon Juice: Use more or less lemon juice as you'd like, but these proportions are great in my book. 1/8 cup lemon juice is the equivalent of the juice from 1 lemon so use that approximation if you'd prefer to use fresh lemons.
- Sweeteners: There are so many sweeteners you can use to make lemonade without sugar. Traditional lemonade is usually made with regular sugar, but I love using pure stevia extract because it's so easy, inexpensive, dissolves easily, and is readily available. But you can use your sweetener of choice.
- A liquid sweetener (like this sugar-free simple syrup) is the next best option, since it dissolves easily. If you're not trying to eat low-carb or keto, honey is a fantastic choice and maple syrup is a fun option too.
- For honey or maple syrup, you'll need to use less–read this post on baking with honey for more information.
- Other low-carb sweeteners can be used to make a keto lemonade, but if they're granulated, powdering the sweeteners first is the best so they'll dissolve well and you don't end up with a big glob of sweetener at the bottom of the glass!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
What's your favorite healthy drink?
I have never used Stevia so I looked up the two recommended in your post and they had such bad reviews. Like they changed and taste bitter now?? So I’m unsure what to buy. I usually ignore the one or two bad reviews on things but these were a lot of people. Any other recommendations?
So sorry for the late reply. I am trying to get more help for my site. I have some brands listed here that are good – hope that helps! https://wholenewmom.com/how-to-like-stevia/
Hi, I was trying to decide on a brand of stevia to start using ,and I saw your recipe for lemonade.
The original post was some time ago and I can’t tell which brand you prefer now. I’ve been getting your emails for some time and I really have learned a lot. Thanks so much!
Hi there and thanks for writing and for the kind words! I really need to revisit this. I’m using several right now. I like the NuNaturals Reb99 a lot but am thinking I should do some kind of a taste test but really only want to use those that are extracted using water only and of course an organic one would be best–what are you using / what have you liked?
I love Stevia lemonade! That being said, your aunt’s quote is backwards. ? Pretends that lemonade in the mugs.
Oh my–you win. The first person to notice this since this was published many years ago! Thank you!
My comment has errors too. ? that’s funny. I just figured you’d like to know. I find lemonade with stevia suppresses my appetite and improves my mood. I think it’s the lemon taste and smell. It’s so fresh and reminds me of warm, sunny weather. Happy spring!
I did for sure want to know. I multi-task often and sometimes go too fast and other times belabor things too much. Thank you again and we do love stevia in all forms but the lemonade is great. Hope to see you around again!
Christ man. Just put the recipe at the top. If I want the ****expletive deleted by blow owner**** after I will, but **** expletive deleted by blog owner**** just don’t ***another expletive deleted by blog owner****
Hello Jessica. First of all, thanks for reading.
Second, I have a handy dandy “jump to recipe” button right at the top of my posts for your convenience. For those who would like to read the background of the recipe and additional information, they are welcome to do so. I often get questions from people about the recipe when the information was there all along.
Hope you find that helpful.
Third, I am a blog writer–not a recipe curator. If you prefer not to use the handy Jump to Recipe button you can just use all recipes, etc. Blogs are different.
Fourth, I would appreciate you not using profanity or Christ’s name in vain on my blog. Thank you!
After reading this I applaud you for not stooping to her level. Very politely and maturely handled.
I will be one of your followers for life! And for the record, I would have been a follower before reading the ugly post. I’m just sorry it has taken this long to find your blog.
Awwww- thank you so much. That means so much. I’m having a tough week detoxing from mold toxicity issues so your comment was that much more appreciated. Hugs and I look forward to seeing you around! I have some more posts coming out soon hopefully!
There’s a scroll feature you may want to look into. It’s all the rage since the mid 1980’s when home computers became popular.
Thank you!
I put an apple and a lemon (or half lemon – adjust to taste) through my juice extractor. No added sweetener and best lemonade I’ve ever had!
Such a great idea!
Hi everybody,
So, what is correct granular stevia? Above recipe says 1/4 TEASPOON! I seem to be the only one seeing this. I used 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice and added 5 & 1/2 cups water before reading not lemony enough as written. Thats all the lemons i have. Ugh! Anyway i’m using granular erythritol.
Hi there – it’s pure stevia extract–not granulated. Please let me know what your concern is – thanks! You can make it as lemony as you like but I will likely adjust the recipe soon!
Lakewood Organic Pure Juice Fresh Pressed Lemon — 32 fl oz also is a good option for no sugar added lemonade. They use a pear juice base, but it tastes like lemonade to us. I might try homemade lemonade with a pear juice base.
What “scoop” are you using to measure sweetner? A coffee “scoop” is about a scant 1/4 cup. Please let me know as soon as you are able. I can’t have tea anymore, and love lemonade. I called a fast food restaurant that has great diet lemonade, to see if they sell it in larger quantity. A gallon is $9.50!
The stevia scoop measurement details were just moved to above the recipe. They used to be in the recipe. Hope that helps!
I just made this using ? tsp powdered Whole Foods 365 brand stevia, ½ c lemon juice with pulp & 4 c water. It is quite good. The only problem is that I miss the “mouth feel” of sugar dissolved in water which creates a slightly viscous syrup & thickens the final product somewhat. I will definitely drink it, but I do wish there were some way to achieve that greater body.
1 / 8 tsp stevia
Hello Cindy – thanks for commenting and for trying this out. I think you might like the xylitol perhaps? Might be a little better? Sorry for the delay in responding. I got behind in comments and then we lost access to them for awhile but just got them back.
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