It is summer, and it’s time for some refreshing, ice-cold drinks to stay cool and happy! And what could be more perfect than a tall glass of copycat Chick Fil A lemonade? This homemade version is just as good as the original.
My family has been enjoying this Chick Fil A lemonade recipe for years, and it is a summertime staple in our household. We love to sip it when we are relaxing on our deck after a busy day of yardwork in the sunshine.
So next time you’re craving that sweet-tart goodness, remember that you don’t need to hit the drive-thru – you can get Chick fil a lemonade taste right in your kitchen. This cool and refreshing drink is perfect for sipping by the pool or enjoying at backyard BBQ.
In this blog post, I’ll go through the simple steps to create your own mouthwatering lemonade. I include serving ideas and all my best tips to make a simple and delicious Chick-fil-A lemonade copycat recipe to quench your thirst.
Reader Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
THE BEST LEMONADE EVER! Now I only need to buy lemons instead of spending $30 on chicken nuggets just for some lemonade lol
— Erica
🍋Simple Ingredients
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Lemons: There’s no substitute for fresh lemons for making the perfect lemonade. So, go ahead and grab those eight lemons; you’ll be glad you did.
- Sugar
- Water
Want more summer thirst quenchers? Try blackberry limeade, dirty Diet Coke, and blueberry margarita.
🥣How to Make Homemade Chick Fil A Lemonade
- Juice those lemons: Roll them on the countertop to soften them up – this will make juicing them much easier. Then, slice them in half and extract the juice. Aim for about 1 ½ cups of lemon juice, and try not to get any seeds there.
- Sweeten the mixture: Mix the lemon juice with the sugar in a large bowl until it’s completely dissolved. This might take a little bit of elbow grease, but it’s worth it to avoid a gritty lemonade.
- Combine and serve: Pour the lemon-sugar mixture into a pitcher and add the 5 cups of cold tap water. Give it a good stir to make sure everything is well combined.
🍴Serving Ideas
Pop the pitcher in the fridge to chill for a bit before serving. You can drink it immediately, but I find that letting it chill enhances the flavor. For an extra special touch, add a slice of lemon to your glass of lemonade.
This lemonade is perfect for serving with all your summer favorites. Of course, it goes great with a copycat Chick fil a sandwich, but it goes just as well with a grilled dinner like steak kabobs. It is the perfect beverage for your next cookout, along with potato salad, macaroni salad, and coleslaw!
💭How to Store
Cover the pitcher and refrigerate the lemonade for up to a week if you have leftover lemonade. Give it a good stir before serving, as the lemon juice and sugar may settle at the bottom.
⭐Tips & Tricks
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Look for lemons that have a bright yellow color, are slightly heavy for their size, and have thin, smooth skin. This indicates that they are ripe and full of juice.
- You can use a handheld juicer, a citrus press, or even an electric juicer, whatever works best for you.
- Taste as you go and adjust the sweetness to your liking. You can always add more sugar but you can’t take it away!
- Enlist the help of the kids to stir the sugar until it dissolves.
- To keep the lemonade cold, mix it with cold water. If you’re in a rush, add some ice cubes. Remember that the ice will dilute your lemonade as it melts, so you might want to add less water.
📝FAQ
Yes, you can make this with bottled lemon juice. But there is a flavor benefit to using freshly squeezed lemons.
Homemade lemonade can last up to a week in the refrigerator if stored properly. Keep it in a covered container or pitcher to maintain its freshness. Just be sure to stir it before serving, as the sugar may settle at the bottom.
Absolutely! You can experiment with different types of citrus fruits like oranges, limes, or even grapefruits to create your own unique lemonade. Just remember to adjust the sugar levels accordingly, as different fruits have varying levels of sweetness and tartness.
No problem! You can easily double or triple this recipe to make multiple batches of lemonade for a party or gathering. You’ll need more lemons and sugar and a larger container to mix everything together.
If you want to cut back on sugar, you can use a sugar substitute like Stevia or Splenda to make it a diet Chick fil a lemonade recipe. Follow the package instructions on the sweetener for the correct conversion ratios, as these sweeteners can be much sweeter than regular sugar.
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Chick Fil a Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 lemons
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 5 cups water cold
Instructions
- Juice the lemons. You should end up with about 1 ½ cups of lemon juice.8 lemons
- Mix the lemon juice with the sugar until it dissolves.1 cup granulated sugar
- Put the mixture in a pitcher and add the water.5 cups water
Notes
- You can use a handheld juicer, a citrus press, or even an electric juicer, whatever works best for you.
- Taste as you go and adjust the sweetness to find the perfect balance for your family. You can always add more sugar but you can’t take it away.
- Enlist the help of the kids for stirring the sugar until it dissolves.
- To keep the fresh lemonade cold, mix it with cold water. If you’re in a rush, add some ice cubes. Remember that the ice will dilute your lemonade as it melts, so you might want to add less water.
- Use a sugar substitute like Splenda or Stevia if you prefer. Check the package instructions on the sweetener to determine the amount that corresponds to a cup of sugar.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
I’m loving chick-fil-a copycat recipe right now! I just made their iced coffee recipe. This is next on my list. Thanks, Anne!
Chik Fil A Lemonade has ruined me for all other lemonades! This recipe was a perfect copycat! I thank you and my wallet thanks you!
I make fresh lemonade regularly. It is just so wonderful to have in the fridge. I loved the tip about using Splenda.
Considering lemons/limes have different sourness levels, at least give us a recommendation for a starting measure of sugar, please.
This is my son’s FAVORITE lemonade! I’m so happy we can save money and make it at home. It’s fantastic.
Fast, easy, and refreshing. This recipe tastes JUST like the addictive lemonade at Chick-Fil-A!
Yum yum yum! This lemonade was so refreshing and being homemade just tasted that much better. Great tip for rolling the lemons first!
All variations of lemonade are welcome but nothing beats a classic lemonade recipe on a hot summer afternoon. So good.
Chick Fil A has the best fast food lemonade but this homemade version is better. I’ll be drinking it all summer long!
Having lemonade handy is so good during summer. I got the kids do all the stirring this time, thanks for the tip 😀
Nothing beats a pitcher of homemade lemonade in the fridge. This will be in mine all summer long!
Nothing can ever be as refreshing as the classic lemonade! The best thirst quencher for the heat. Love it
THE BEST LEMONADE EVER! Now I only need to buy lemons instead of spending $30 on chicken nuggets just for some lemonade lol
I feel like you just took me to chick-fil-a!!! This was sweet, tart and very well balanced all at the same time. My kids loved this lemonade!!
I got my kids to help me make this lemonade, and it was so fun to all work together! We went out onto the deck with it when we were done, and it was delicious- totally worth the effort!