Inside: Make flavored lemonade from scratch with fresh lemons and homemade rhubarb simple syrup.

Want a refreshing summer drink? Rhubarb lemonade is the best. This easy homemade lemonade starts with rhubarb syrup, which adds a gorgeous color and tangy-sweet zip to old-fashioned lemonade.

Forget those powdered drink mixes and store-bought wannabes. They can’t hold a candle to this homemade lemonade. This rhubarb lemonade recipe is sweet, tart and deliciously refreshing on a sweltering summer day.

If you grew up making Kool-Aid from those 10 for $1 packets or Country Time by the pitcher full, you’ll appreciate this lemonade.

I remember my Mom buying those drink mixes. We had a colored plastic pitcher that my brother and I would use to mix up our favorite coolers. Once, when my brother, Cameron, was very young — he decided to take his favorite powdered mix and eat it by the spoonful — behind a chair in the living room — on my mother’s white carpet. You can imagine how that went.

This flavored lemonade doesn’t have any dyes or food colorings. In fact there’s nothing artificial. The amazing color (and flavor) comes from the rhubarb syrup and real, fresh lemons.

This flavored lemonade recipe is much better than the Kool-Aid of my childhood. I know you’ll agree.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

It’s made from all-natural ingredients with nothing artificial.
This strawberry rhubarb lemonade is light, sweet and refreshing.
Even after you’re done sipping, there’s fruit to nibble on.
Kids love strawberry lemonade with rhubarb ginger simple syrup to sweeten it.
You can make it by the glass or by the pitcher.

Ingredients:

Rhubarb Simple Syrup – Make a big batch of this simple syrup whenever you’ve got fresh rhubarb. The flavors are tart, and the magenta hue is eye-popping.
Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed is best.
Water – Use cold water from the tap or your favorite bottled water.
Fresh Strawberries – For garnish.
Fresh Rhubarb – For garnish, optional.

Step-by-step instructions:

Squeeze fresh lemons until you have ½ cup of lemon juice and add the fresh juice to a pitcher.

2. Measure 1½ cups of rhubarb simple syrup.

3. Add rhubarb syrup to the pitcher.

4. Add 1-1½ cups of fresh cold water to the pitcher and stir to combine. Chill the pitcher in the refrigerator.

5. To serve, add fresh slices of lemon and strawberry to the pitcher.

A glass of rhubarb lemonade with garnishes.

6. Pour the rhubarb lemonade into glasses filled with ice. Garnish with lemon wedges, strawberries or rhubarb stalks.

Pro-Tips:

The rhubarb simple syrup freezes well, so I recommend making a large batch and freezing it in ice cube trays. Then transfer the frozen syrup to a zip-top freezer bag for up to 3 months, so you can make this flavored lemonade whenever you crave it.

Variations:

Use other simple syrups to flavor plain lemonade. Some to try are honey simple syrup, mango syrup, prickly pear syrup, fresh peach syrup.
Add 1½ ounces of rum, vodka or other liquor to spike your lemonade.
Muddle fresh mint in the glass before adding the rest of the ingredients for a fresh, herbal flavor.
To cut the sweetness and add effervesence, add a 2-3 ounces of chilled club soda or sparkling water.
Freeze the rhubarb lemonade in popsicle molds for a delicious snack.
For adults who want something less sweet and more spiked, try this sparkling adult lemonade: 2 oz. rhubarb lemonade + 1½ tequila + 2 ounces chilled sparkling water. (This has been my go-to cocktail this summer).

More summer drinks you’ll love:

A glass of rhubarb lemonade with garnish.

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