Best 7 Hard Lemonade Recipes

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Calling all lemonade enthusiasts! Prepare to elevate your summer refreshment with our tantalizing collection of hard lemonade recipes. From classic to contemporary, these delectable concoctions are sure to quench your thirst and ignite your taste buds. Indulge in the timeless charm of our Traditional Hard Lemonade, a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and boozy notes. For a tropical twist, embark on a journey with our Caribbean Hard Lemonade, infused with the vibrant flavors of pineapple and lime. Experience a taste of the Orient with our Asian Pear Hard Lemonade, where delicate pear essence meets the refreshing tang of citrus. If you seek a touch of sophistication, our Sparkling Hard Lemonade Sangria is the perfect choice, combining the best of both worlds in a bubbly and fruity sangria. Brace yourself for a delightful surprise with our Blueberry Basil Hard Lemonade, where juicy blueberries and aromatic basil create a symphony of flavors. And for those who prefer a creamy delight, our Hard Lemonade Shandy blends the refreshing tartness of lemonade with the smooth creaminess of vanilla ice cream. With our comprehensive guide, you'll be equipped to craft the perfect hard lemonade that suits your unique preferences. Discover the art of homemade hard lemonade and embark on a journey of taste exploration today!

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

HARD LEMONADE



Hard Lemonade image

A lemony syrup made by boiling lemon zest with lemon and sugar is the base for this delicious and refreshing hard lemonade with vodka.

Provided by Lisa-ButteryBooks

Categories     Drinks Recipes     Cocktail Recipes     Vodka Drinks Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 lemon
4 cups water, or as needed, divided
1 cup white sugar
6 large lemons, juiced
1 ½ cups vodka
1 cup ice cubes, or as needed
1 large lemon, sliced

Steps:

  • Zest 1 lemon into large pieces using a knife. Place lemon zest in a saucepan; top with 1 cup water and sugar. Bring lemon zest mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves and liquid is syrupy, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and cool; remove and discard lemon zest.
  • Stir lemon juice and vodka together in a pitcher; pour in lemon syrup. Stir in enough water to fill the pitcher.
  • Fill glasses with ice; pour hard lemonade into each glass. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 291.4 calories, Carbohydrate 47.4 g, Fat 0.4 g, Fiber 6.2 g, Protein 1.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 9.3 mg, Sugar 33.3 g

MICHAEL'S HARD LEMONADE



Michael's Hard Lemonade image

chef Michael Smith's hard lemonade. I have seen all sorts of recipes for alcoholic lemonade but this is the simplest. No muss no fuss.

Provided by MarraMamba

Categories     Beverages

Time 5m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

ice
8 ounces vodka
1 cup sugar
8 lemons, juice and zest of
water

Steps:

  • Fill a large pitcher with ice. Pour in vodka, sugar, lemon zest and juice. Stir well to dissolve the sugar. Fill the pitcher with water and stir again.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 235.6, Fat 0.1, Sodium 1.4, Carbohydrate 37.7, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 34.9, Protein 0.2

STRAWBERRY-HARD LEMONADE SLUSH



Strawberry-Hard Lemonade Slush image

A handful of ingredients turn a can of lemonade into a thirst quencher that serves a bunch.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Beverage

Time 4h15m

Yield 23

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 box (4-serving size) Jell-O™ strawberry-flavored gelatin
1 cup boiling water
2 boxes (10 oz each) frozen strawberries in light syrup, partially thawed
1 quart (4 cups) fresh strawberries, hulled
1 can (12 oz) frozen lemonade concentrate, partially thawed
1/2 cup sugar
1 bottle (11.2 oz) hard lemonade 5% alcohol beverage or 1 can (12 oz) lemon-lime carbonated beverage
6 additional bottles (11.2 oz each) hard lemonade 5% alcohol beverage or 1 bottle (2 liters) lemon-lime carbonated beverage or ginger ale, chilled

Steps:

  • In 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish, place gelatin; pour boiling water on gelatin; stir until gelatin is dissolved.
  • In food processor, place strawberries in syrup, fresh strawberries, lemonade concentrate and sugar. Cover; process until smooth. Pour into gelatin. Stir in 1 bottle hard lemonade. Freeze 4 to 6 hours or overnight until slush consistency, stirring after 2 hours.
  • To serve, spoon 1/2 cup slush mixture into each glass; pour 1/3 cup hard lemonade over each. Stir and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 1, ServingSize 1 Serving, TransFat 0 g

SUNNY'S HARD LEMONADE



Sunny's Hard Lemonade image

Provided by Sunny Anderson

Categories     beverage

Time 9h25m

Yield 5 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups water
1 cup sugar
8 cups ice
4 ounces vanilla-infused vodka, recipe follows*
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 lemon, sliced into rings
1 lime, sliced into rings
1 liter vodka
2 vanilla beans

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to a simmer. Cook until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool.
  • In a large pitcher, fill with ice. Stir in simple syrup, vodka, juice, lemon and lime slices.
  • *for kid-friendly version, omit alcohol.
  • Split beans lengthwise and add to vodka bottle. Let infuse overnight in a cool dark place. Strain into another sterilized bottle.

HARD STRAWBERRY LEMONADE



Hard Strawberry Lemonade image

Another yummy drink my hubby invented. Wonderful on the rocks, or strain into a martini glass. I buy very large IQF strawberries from a warehouse club - if your frozen strawberries aren't large, add more. Be sure to use Chambord for the liqueur. You can really taste it in this drink, and cheaper raspberry liqueurs taste like cough medicine.

Provided by appleydapply

Categories     < 15 Mins

Time 5m

Yield 1 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 large lemon, juice of
2 -3 teaspoons sugar
2 large frozen strawberries
1 ounce vodka
1 1/2 ounces Chambord raspberry liquor

Steps:

  • Place all ingredients in blender; blend until smooth. (A few small strawberry pieces might remain).
  • Put 8 oz of ice in a shaker, pour drink into shaker and shake for 30 seconds.
  • Pour into glass to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 122.5, Sodium 1.3, Carbohydrate 14.8, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 10.7, Protein 0.3

SUNNY'S HARD LEMONADE



Sunny's Hard Lemonade image

This recipe came from the Food Network show, Cooking For Real. I haven't made it yet, but it sounds like just the kind of thing to have while doing some outdoor cooking. I'm posting here so I don't lose it and for nutrition counts.

Provided by Kendra

Categories     Beverages

Time 1h5m

Yield 5 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups water
1 cup sugar
8 cups ice
1/4 cup vanilla vodka
1 cup lemon juice, fresh
1 lemon (optional)
1 lime (optional)

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to a simmer. Cook until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  • Fill a large pitcher with ice.
  • Stir in sugar mixture, vodka, and juice. If desired, slice lemon and/or lime into rings about 1/4 inch thick and add to pitcher.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 191.2, Fat 0.1, Sodium 15.2, Carbohydrate 43.4, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 41.1, Protein 0.2

HARD RASPBERRY LEMONADE



Hard Raspberry Lemonade image

A refreshing drink. I had this at a fantasy football pick party. It was great. You have to watch because you can't really taste the alcohol and it would be easy to drink too much.

Provided by Mayniac May Family

Categories     Beverages

Time 10m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

3/4 cup frozen raspberries
3.5 (12 ounce) bottles beer, chilled
1 (12 ounce) container frozen raspberry-lemonade concentrate (thawed)
1/2 cup vodka
lemon & lime slice

Steps:

  • stir together raspberries, beer, thawed concentrate, and vodka.
  • Serve over ice.
  • Garnish if desired.
  • Note: To make ahead, stir raspberry lemonade concentrate and vodka in large container. Chill up to 8 days. Stir in raspberries and beer just before serving.

Tips:

  • Choose the right lemons. Meyer lemons are ideal for hard lemonade because they are sweeter and less tart than other varieties. If you can't find Meyer lemons, you can use regular lemons, but you may need to add more sugar to taste.
  • Use fresh lemons. Fresh lemons will give your hard lemonade the best flavor. Avoid using bottled or frozen lemon juice.
  • Zest the lemons before juicing them. The zest contains the most flavorful oils in the lemons. When you zest the lemons, be sure to grate only the yellow part of the peel, not the white pith.
  • Add sugar or honey to taste. The amount of sugar or honey you add to your hard lemonade will depend on your personal preference. Start with a small amount and add more to taste.
  • Chill the hard lemonade before serving. Hard lemonade is best served chilled. You can chill it in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or you can freeze it for a slushy consistency.

Conclusion:

Hard lemonade is a refreshing and delicious summer drink that is easy to make at home. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious pitcher of hard lemonade that is perfect for enjoying on a hot day. Whether you are hosting a party or just relaxing at home, hard lemonade is a great choice for any occasion.

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