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Rosemary Lemonade

This Rosemary Lemonade tastes fantastic thanks to fresh rosemary that adds sweetness and a delicious herbal flavor. Your house will smell AMAZING when you make the rosemary simple syrup for this lemonade!

Oh, and if you love flavored lemonades, then try this Hibiscus Lemonade!

Jar of rosemary lemonade with fresh rosemary sprigs
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Rosemary simple syrup

Homemade rosemary simple syrup is the secret to making rosemary lemonade. It's simple to make: just combine 3-4 sprigs of fresh rosemary with 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Heat and let it simmer for a few minutes. That's it!!

This simple syrup is SO good paired with fresh lemon juice to make lemonade, and I also love making fancy gin cocktails with the leftover syrup. Keep reading to learn how!

More recipes to use up that rosemary: Rosemary White Beans with Garlic and Ciabatta Stuffing

Overhead image of rosemary lemonade with a rosemary sprig garnish

Ingredients

  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 5-8 lemons, depending on size, plus an extra lemon sliced for garnish if you want to be fancy)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3-4 cups cold water, divided (you'll use 1 cup to make the rosemary syrup, and 3-4 cups for the lemonade. The 3-4 cups can be iced water or even mostly ice, if you want to have the lemonade cold enough and ready to serve right away)
  • 3-4 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus extra for garnish
Ingredients to make rosemary lemonade

More delicious flavored lemonades to try: Cucumber Lemonade

Equipment

More flavored lemonade recipes: Strawberry Chia Lemonade

Instructions

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 3-4 sprigs of fresh rosemary. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes to let the rosemary flavor infuse.

Collage 2 2 pictures showing how to make rosemary simple syrup

Carefully strain out the cooked rosemary through a sieve, collecting the syrup in a heat-safe container. You can also use a slotted spoon to remove the rosemary. You should have a little over 1 cup of rosemary simple syrup.

Straining rosemary from rosemary simple syrup

In a large pitcher or bowl, combine 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup rosemary syrup (you'll have a few tablespoons left over), and 3 cups cold water. Stir well, give it a taste and adjust with more lemon juice, syrup, or water, depending on whether it's too sweet, too sour, or too concentrated.

Mixing rosemary simple syrup with lemonade in a pitcher

Pour over ice to serve, or chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

More great party drinks: Fall Pumpkin Ale Cocktail

Jar of rosemary lemonade with Christmas decorations in the background

Christmas lemonade

One of my favorite things about this lemonade (besides its delicious herbal flavor) is how GOOD the house smells when you make it! The rosemary syrup on the stovetop immediately gives holiday vibes, with its evergreen tree aroma. This is a PERFECT holiday party lemonade recipe for that reason. Lemonade isn't just for summer!

Leftover rosemary syrup

This recipe typically leaves me with a few tablespoons of rosemary simple syrup (unless the lemons are extra tart, in which case I use up all the syrup). If you have leftover rosemary syrup, you can make a DELICIOUS gin cocktail. Simple combine:

  • 1 shot rosemary syrup
  • 1 shot gin
  • 1 shot lemon juice
  • ice
  • seltzer, to taste (about 6 oz)

Stir together, give it a taste and see if it needs any more lemon juice or syrup, depending on your preferences. Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this recipe, let me know with a comment and a star rating below. And don't forget to share it on Facebook and save it on Pinterest for later!

Rosemary lemonade in a jar with fresh rosemary as garnish

Rosemary Lemonade

The EASY rosemary simple syrup that you'll make for this lemonade will make your house small AMAZING!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Kosher, Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 158kcal
Author: Kate

Ingredients

  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice from about 5-8 lemons, depending on size, plus extra for garnish
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3-4 cups cold water divided
  • 3-4 sprigs fresh rosemary plus extra for garnish

Special equipment

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 3-4 sprigs or fresh rosemary. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes to let the rosemary flavor infuse.
    Collage 2 2 pictures showing how to make rosemary simple syrup
  • Carefully strain out the cooked rosemary through a sieve, collecting the syrup in a heat-safe container. Or use a slotted spoon to remove the rosemary. You should have a little over 1 cup of rosemary simple syrup.
    Straining rosemary from rosemary simple syrup
  • In a large pitcher or bowl, combine 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup rosemary syrup (you'll have a few tablespoons left over), and 3 cups cold water. Stir well, give it a taste and adjust with more lemon juice, syrup, or water, depending on whether it's too sweet, too sour, or too concentrated.
  • Pour over ice to serve, or chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg
5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




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Myli

Thursday 7th of March 2024

Is there any other sweetener that would work here? I'm trying to move my family away from cane sugar. Thanks!

Kate

Monday 11th of March 2024

Use whatever sweetener you prefer! Honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, or low-carb sweeteners will work fine, just use one that you like the flavor of.

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