A lemonade powder recipe allows you to make a concentrated lemonade that you can store and use whenever you want an instant, refreshing drink. With just lemonade mix powder and water, you can whip up tasty lemonade in seconds.
Making your own DIY lemonade powder means you control the ingredients. You can adjust the sweetness level and flavor to suit your tastes. It also saves money compared to buying commercial drink mixes.
Benefits of Homemade Lemonade Powder
There are several advantages to making DIY lemonade mix instead of buying it:
- You control sweetness level. With homemade powder, you choose how much sugar goes in. This allows you to create lemonade as tangy or sweet as you prefer.
- You know the ingredients. When you make it yourself, you can ensure there are no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
- It saves money. Homemade powder is much cheaper per glass compared to commercial drink mixes.
- Adds fun flavors easily. It's easy to customize the lemonade powder's taste by adding fruit juices, spices and more.
- No wastage. You can whip up one glass at a time so there's no throwing out half-full pitchers.
Key Takeaway: Make your own lemonade powder to control sweetness and ingredients plus save money over store-bought mixes.
Ingredients for Lemonade Powder
The basic ingredients for lemonade powder are:
- Sugar - White granulated sugar adds sweetness. You can use less for a tarter drink or more for an ultra-sweet lemonade.
- Citric acid - This adds tartness resembling the acidity of fresh lemon juice. Without it, the lemonade would taste flat.
- Lemon zest or lemon juice - For genuine lemon flavor. Zest is best for powder as it stays stable, but juice works too.
- Salt - A small pinch accentuates flavors. Optional but recommended.
- Dried lemon peel - For extra lemon taste. Also optional.
Key Takeaway: Make lemonade powder with sugar, citric acid, lemon zest or juice, salt and dried lemon peel for optimal flavor.
How to Make Lemonade Powder - Step by Step
Lemonade Powder Recipe
Ingredients
- Sugar
- Citric acid
- Lemon zest or lemon juice
- Salt
- Dried lemon peel
Instructions
Zest the Lemons
- Remove lemon zest using a zester, microplane or the small holes of a box grater. Take off just the vibrant yellow outer peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
- Tip: Allow 3-4 medium lemons per cup of finished powder.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, mix together:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon citric acid
- Zest from 3-4 lemons
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Stir thoroughly with a whisk to evenly distribute. The salt isn't vital but it brings out the flavors.
Dry Out the Mixture
- Spread the lemon sugar mixture thinly on baking sheets. Dry at room temperature for 12-24 hours, stirring periodically.
- If you’re in a rush, put it in a 170°F oven for 30-60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until completely dry. Let it cool fully before using.
Blend into a Fine Powder
- Pour the dry mixture into a blender or food processor. Blitz in short bursts until reduced to a fine powder.
- Be careful not to overmix, as this causes clumping. You want a light, fluffy powder that dissolves instantly in water.
Store in an Airtight Container
- Your homemade lemonade powder will stay fresh for up to a year stored in an airtight glass jar or container. Keep it in a cool, dark place like the pantry.
- And that’s it - you now have your very own DIY lemonade mix to turn into tasty lemonade whenever you want it!
How to Use Lemonade Powder
To make lemonade, simply stir the powder into cold water:
- Add 2-3 tablespoons powder per 8oz glass of water
- Stir vigorously until fully dissolved
- Add more powder or water to taste
- Serve over ice
- Garnish with lemon slices or mint
For a fun twist, use sparkling water instead of plain water for a fizzy lemonade soda taste.
You can also mix up larger quantities in pitchers for parties and backyard gatherings. Dissolve 1 cup powder per gallon of water for a good strength lemonade to serve lots of people.
Key Takeaway: To make lemonade, stir 2-3 tbsp powder into 8oz water until dissolved. Adjust sweetness by adding more powder or water to taste.
Flavor Variations
One of the great things about DIY lemonade powder is that you can customize it. Simply add extra flavorings into the powder itself for fun new tastes.
- Fruity lemonades - Stir in berry, tropical or other fruit purées before dehydrating
- Spiced lemonade - Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger or cardamom
- Rainbow colors - Use fruit or vegetable powders like beet to tint your lemonade pink
- Tangy lemonade - Increase the citric acid for an extra-tart kick
- Sweet lemonade - Use more sugar in the base mix for sweeter lemonade
- Iced tea lemonade - Blend in loose leaf tea before drying for an Arnold Palmer combo
Let your imagination run wild coming up with new powder flavors to make your lemonade stand uniquely you!
Storage Tips
Properly stored, homemade lemonade powder will stay fresh for up to a year at room temperature. Here are some storage tips:
- Airtight container - Store in an airtight jar, bottle or container
- Cool and dark place - Keep powder in the pantry or cupboard away from light and heat
- No humidity - Exposure to moisture causes clumping
- Write use-by date - Mark when the powder expires for best quality
Also, take care to keep the powder itself completely dry when you take it out to use. Any moisture getting into the mix can cause it to clump up. Use a dry spoon and don’t let damp utensils touch the powder.
FAQs
How long does homemade lemonade powder last?
Stored airtight in a cool, dry place, lemonade powder will stay fresh for 9 months to 1 year. Write the expiration date on your jar. Over time it can lose its zing and brightness.
Can you use fresh lemon juice instead of zest?
Yes, swapping the zest for an equal amount of strained fresh lemon juice works too. However juice contains more water so be sure to fully dehydrate the powder. Zest makes a longer-lasting powder.
What can I do if the powder clumps up?
Clumping happens if any moisture gets into the powder. You may be able to break clumps apart with your fingers. For stubborn lumps, sift through a fine mesh sieve. Then be extra careful sealing it in an airtight container.
Is citric acid necessary?
Citric acid is key for tartness resembling real lemons. Without it, the lemonade tastes flat. But in a pinch, double the lemon zest or juice for some extra acidity.
Can kids drink lemonade made from the powder?
Definitely! Homemade lemonade powder dissolves easily in cold water making it perfect for kids. Let them customize their fruit flavors for extra fun. The recipe contains no artificial anything either.
Conclusion
With some basic ingredients and a few easy steps, you can create your own homemade lemonade powder. Making DIY lemon mix lets you control the sweetness while avoiding artificial flavors and colors. Kids love it too!
Store your custom lemonade powder in an airtight container for up to a year’s worth of instant lemonade whenever you want it. Just stir powder into water - cold still or sparkling - for a refreshing glass in seconds.