Yuzu Lemonade

Sweet, tart, and perfectly effervescent this Yuzu Lemonade recipe is just the refreshing libation you need. Made with just 5 ingredients in less than 5 minutes, this Japanese lemonade is as simple as it is delicious.

Get ready to tantalize your senses and quench your thirst with this invigorating concoction that combines the zesty essence of yuzu, the tangy punch of lemonade, and a hint of optional strawberry goodness. But first, let's talk about yuzu. What the heck is it? 

Native to East Asia, this delightfully small, aromatic citrus fruit resembles a lemon crossed with a tangerine. If you haven't encountered yuzu before, prepare yourself for a citrusy flavor revelation. This exotic fruit is a hidden gem, renowned for its distinctive flavor that strikes an incredible tart-floral-sweet-tangy balance, with subtle hints of mandarin orange and grapefruit. 

When it comes to crafting sensational beverages, yuzu juice reigns supreme; it's like sipping sunshine from a glass! Its bright and fragrant notes lend themselves effortlessly to a wide array of beverages, making it a cherished secret among mixologists. 

With its refreshing qualities and tantalizing aroma, yuzu offers a perfect foundation for the creation of dazzling coffee drinks, mocktails, and, of course, this delicious thirst-quenching yuzu lemon drink. It’s also delightful in desserts, like my yuzu white chocolate mousse and raspberry yuzu macarons!

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Yuzu Lemonade Recipe

Cheers to the perfect blend of icy refreshment and indulgence! If you’re still looking for reasons to make these yuzu drinks, I have a few. Aside from being absolutely slurpable and pristinely pucker-worthy, my yuzu lemonade is also: 

• Quick & Easy. You don’t need any fancy equipment. Simplicity meets sophistication in this delightful yuzu drink recipe! All you need is a glass of ice and a liquid measuring glass. So fear not — even if you're a novice mixologist, you can easily master this delightful beverage in no time. 
• Made With Only 5 Ingredients. Preparing this drink is an absolute breeze, especially with such a short ingredient list. As an added bonus, ice is one of the ingredients, so you KNOW it’s nice and simple.  
• Customizable. Whether you prefer making a NA mocktail or want to double down on the yuzu goodness, I’ve got you covered with lots of optional variations below!

🍴Ingredients 

As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this yuzu sipper. Here’s what to grab:

• Ice - If possible, use ice made from filtered water for the best-tasting results.
• Yuzu Juice - Feel free to squeeze it yourself for the brightest flavor, or use bottled yuzu juice for convenience.
• Unsweetened Lemonade - If possible, reach for unsweetened or only lightly sweetened lemonade to keep the drink from becoming cloyingly sweet.  
• St Germain - This elderflower liqueur adds a lovely floral flavor while acting as the sweetener. While you’re welcome to use off-brand liqueur, St. Germain is considered the gold standard in bars. You’re also welcome to use another bright and fruity option like blood orange liqueur instead!
• Sparkling Water - I love adding a little bit of fizz to make this refreshing cocktail even more special. If you are looking for an added buzz, feel free to swap in a dry sparkling white wine like prosecco or champagne instead.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

⏲️ Substitutions & Variations

• Mocktail- Omit the St. Germain (or swap in a touch of elderflower juice or nectar) and use sparkling water to keep this drink safe for your favorite teetotalers. If it needs an added boost of sweetness, try using honey simple syrup or a splash of agave!
• Extra Yuzu - Instead of topping your lemony yuzu drink with floral elderflower liqueur, swap in yuzu liqueur to double down on the citrusy magnificence.
• Yuzu Limeade - While yuzu and lemon make a fantastic pair, surprise! Yuzu and lime do as well.

This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

📖 How To Make A Yuzu Lemonade Drinks: Step-by-Step Instructions

Whipping up a glass of this Japanese-inspired lemonade drink takes just two simple steps:

Step 1: Pour yuzu juice, lemonade, St-Germain, & sparkling water into a glass filled with ice.

Step 2: Garnish with lemon slices (or candied lemon slices?!?), then enjoy!

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

Here are some handy tips to ensure your Yuzu Lemonade turns out sublime:

• Seek out the perfect yuzu: When selecting yuzu fruit for your recipe, look for fruits that are firm, glossy, and vibrant in color. Ideally, they should feel heavy for their size, indicating a higher juice content. If you're lucky enough to have access to an Asian grocery store or a specialty fruit market, that's your best bet for finding fresh yuzu. Alternatively, you can also explore online vendors that offer yuzu juice or frozen yuzu puree as a convenient alternative.
• Embrace the zest: Before juicing the yuzu, don't forget to zest the fruit! Yuzu zest adds an incredible burst of fragrance and depth of flavor to your boozy lemonade. Use a microplane or a fine grater to gently remove the outer zest, being cautious not to scrape too deeply into the bitter pith beneath. You're also welcome to rub the yuzu zest into sugar then use it to rim your glass. 
• Squeeze the citrus: Once you've gathered your yuzu fruit, it's time to extract all that lovely tangy nectar. Roll the yuzu firmly on a flat surface using gentle pressure to help release the juices. Then, cut the fruit in half and use a juicer or your hands to squeeze out every last drop of liquid gold. Strain the juice to remove any seeds or pulp, ensuring a smooth and refreshing lemonade.
• Balance the sweetness: Yuzu has a unique flavor profile that is both sweet and tangy. To strike the perfect balance, add a touch of sweetness to your lemonade. Agave syrup, simple syrup, or honey work wonderfully as natural sweeteners if you don't want to use liqueur!

💭 Recipe FAQs

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