Grilled Lemonade – The Stay At Home Chef

The first time we heard about grilled lemonade we were immediately interested in giving it a try. We immediately fell in love with the deepness of the flavors. Don’t be fooled, it doesn’t taste like burnt lemons at all. Grilling the citrus fruits brings out the natural flavors, and the addition of a bit of sugar before you place it over the flames means that you’ll also get a hint of caramelization in the final results. It’s a bit less tart than classic varieties and boasts a much fuller lemon flavor. In other words, it’s a must-try!

For another fun summer drink, try our Texas Twister Copycat.

Why Our Recipe

A unique twist on lemonade that will absolutely blow you away.
Brings smokey and caramelized flavors and even more lemon flavor.

A glass of grilled lemonade with a straw.

Whenever the weather heats up, we find ourselves craving an ice-cold glass of fresh lemonade! We can all agree that the homemade version is much better than the store-bought stuff. It’s also so easy to make! Impress your guests by serving up this homemade grilled lemonade at your next gathering!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for grilled lemonade laid out on a table.

Lemons: Start by slicing your lemons in half. Then dip the cut side in a bit of sugar.
Water: It’s up to you to decide how much water and ice to add! If you like a stronger citrus taste, use less water.
Sugar: Dipping the lemon in the sugar creates that deep, rich caramelization that we are looking for. Sugar is the best for sticking to the lemon. Other sweeteners like honey will simply drip off of the lemon. You don’t have to sugar the lemons, but I highly recommend it.

Broiler Alternative

If you don’t have access to a gas or charcoal grill, you can also use your oven’s broiler. Each oven works a little bit differently as to whether the broiler is in the main oven, or in a drawer underneath. Either way, the broiler setting is a top-down heat. You can think of it as a sort of upside-down grill. If you’re working with a broiler, follow the same steps as indicated in the recipe, but place the cut side up instead of down.

Other Ways to Use Grilled Lemons

When you remove your grilled lemons from the heat, let them cool for 5-10 minutes. Now you can juice them for grilled lemon juice! There are a few more steps you’ll have to take to turn it into something drinkable, but you can also use the smokey and charred juice for other things! Consider adding it to a marinade or even to baked goods for a unique citrus flavor.

Freezing Instructions

If you want to make this recipe for a later date, you can absolutely freeze this unique drink. Follow the instructions on the recipe card below, but make sure not to add any water just yet. You can place the grilled lemon concentrate in a freezer-safe bag. Lay it down in your freezer, where it will keep for 3-4 months. When you’re ready to drink it, let it thaw overnight, and then add water to your taste preferences.