The Best Easy Spiced Lemonade (Spicy Lemonade Recipe)

Spiced Lemonade is perfect to keep cool on a hot summer day and nothing says summertime like an ice cold glass of Spicy Lemonade! This refreshing summer drink is so easy to make and the perfect way to use extra lemons.

Creating this Spiced Lemonade Recipe

The dog days of summer have hit my corner of the world. It is hot here, and with the summer monsoons rolling in.

It is also as humid as this dry desert state ever gets. I’m not complaining though because I know we are marching steadily towards school schedules and busy days in the next few weeks.

It’s hot here and the days are long. But, we are doing our best to soak it all up and enjoy our last days of summer freedom and sunshine.

All the kids at my house have determined that there are two things that make these hot summer afternoons bearable: Cold Drinks and Cold Water.

We are getting our Cold Water in the form of swimming pools, splash pads, a dip in the river here and there.

We also have a fun spinning sprinkler attached to the trampoline in the backyard. The kids are living in their bathing suits for the next few weeks and it’s probably only a matter of time before they start sporting gills and webbed feet.

Spicy Lemonade – The Perfect Cold Drink for Summer

When they do take a breather, they come looking for cold drinks. This Spiced Lemonade is a recent creation that has been a big hit at my house.

Spiced Lemonade is not as sugary sweet as a canned lemonade mix, which I appreciate, and its unique flavor is so refreshing! It definitely satisfies our requirement for a cold drink!

With a hint of cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, this lemonade makes a tasty summer treat that the whole family will enjoy. Even the picky eaters like this Spicy Lemonade!

Ingredients You Need to Make this Spiced Lemonade Recipe

For The Easy Strawberry Lemonade, you’ll need a few simple ingredients:

• Fresh Lemon Juice
• Lemon Slices
• Water
• Whole Cloves
• Cinnamon Bark
• Spiced Simple Syrup (Sugar Water)

To Prepare the Simple Syrup, you’ll need these ingredients:

• Sugar, Agave Nectar, or Monkfruit Sweetener Powder
• Water
• Whole Cloves
• Allspice
• Cinnamon Bark

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make this Recipe for Spicy Lemonade

This spiced lemonade recipe is so easy to prepare. Here is a quick summary of the process:

To Make the Spiced Simple Syrup

1. In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups of water, sugar, cloves, cinnamon bark, and allspice.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes and then strain using a fine mesh strainer. Discard the spices.

To Make the Spicy Lemonade

1. In a large pitcher combine the simple syrup, cold water, and lemon juice to taste. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
2. Serve ice cold with sliced lemons on the side.

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Tips for the Best Spicy Lemonade

Is this your first time preparing a spicy lemonade recipe? Here are my pro tip to get the best results when preparing this summery drink.

• Use fresh ingredients for best results. You’ll get so much more flavor using fresh lemons for the juice rather than bottled lemon juice.
• Adjust the amount of sugar in the simple syrup according to your preferences. Is 1 cup of sugar per cup of water too sweet for you? Try decreasing the amount of sugar in the spiced simple syrup.
• For a spicier lemonade recipe, add some cayenne pepper to the spiced simple syrup. This won’t be ideal for kids, though, unless they like spicy recipes.
• Make sure the sugar dissolves completely when preparing the simple syrup.
• Don’t add ice directly to the pitcher, doing so will dilute the entire pitcher. The best way to serve this cold is to use cold water rather than room temperature water when preparing the recipe.
• If time allows, chill the fresh-squeezed lemonade in the refrigerator before serving. Then, add ice cubes to individual glasses just before serving.

How to Make it a Refreshing Summer Cocktail!

Lemonade is one of my favorite drink recipes for summer because it is so easy to make a simple summer cocktail with. Here are a few ideas for mixing with this recipe for spicy lemonade:

For a Vodka Lemonade: add 2 ounces of vodka for every 6 ounces of lemonade. Serve over ice.

For a Tequila Lemonade: add salt on the rim of the cup, then combine 2 ounces of tequila for every 6 ounces of lemonade. Serve over ice.

For a Lemonade Spritzer: Combine 4 ounces chilled dry white wine with 1 ounce lemonade and 2 ounces club soda. Serve over ice.

How to Garnish Fresh Spiced Lemonade

For a pretty presentations when making this flavorful drink, try some of these spicy lemonade garnish ideas. They will take this simple recipe to the next level:

• Fresh Mint Leaves – not only does something green contrast beautifully with the bright color of this drink, the herbs are a natural flavor compliment
• Lemon Slices or Lemon Wedge – extra lemon looks pretty on the rim of the glass.
• Cinnamon Stick – Adding in a cinnamon stick adds a pop of extra color.

What to Serve with Spicy Lemonade

This spicy lemonade recipe will taste great with pretty much any of your favorite spring and summer BBQ meals. We like to serve lemonade with burgers, potato salad, coleslaw, pulled pork, and anything else with those fun summery flavors.

More Great Recipes for Homemade Lemonade

Sparkling Rhubarb Raspberry Lemonade is perfectly sweet and tart in equal proportions with just enough fizz to tickle your nose.

Homemade Watermelon Mint Lemonade is a fun take on the classic lemonade — and it couldn’t be more summery with its gorgeous bright pink color! A perfect summer drink for the whole family on a hot day!

Do you love Strawberry Lemonade? This refreshing summer drink is so easy to make and the perfect way to use ripe strawberries during strawberry season, plus it makes a pretty, naturally colored pink lemonade.

Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.

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This post and recipe were originally written by: Allison Ruth of Some the Wiser. It has been updated from the archives to include additional information.