Water, sugar, and citrus, oh my!

When life gives you lemons, what kind of lemonade will you make? As a self-proclaimed hater of all things carbonated, but also someone who can’t make it six hours without a fun drink to sip on, lemonade has become my ride or die in the drink world. Coffee is a very close second (those who know me know an iced mocha is almost always in my hand). But lemonade is effortless, easy, tasty, and I can drink it until the wee hours of the night. I order it at every restaurant, and will often start the chain of everyone at the table realizing they don’t have to stick to just water. One thing about lemonade though–it’s a shapeshifter. There are so many different kinds that vary in flavor, price, and add-ons; especially when you travel and European lemonade gets added to the mix.

A (super) brief history. We can’t get into the nitty gritty of seeking the best  lemonade around the world without talking about its origins. Lemonade is thought to have first appeared in the 10th century in Cairo, making its way to Paris in the mid 1600s. and soon became extremely popular. So much so, that the limonene in the peels, a natural flea-killer, is now thought to have assisted Paris with the plague. In the Amalfi Coast (which is often the place to be associated with the best lemons travelers can find), lemons were first introduced in the Middle Ages and were most commonly used for medicine. Today lemons in Italy are mainly used in cuisine and their famous lemony liquor: limoncello. Lemonade made its way to the U.S. in the 18th century. During the prohibition era, President Rutherford B. Hayes’ wife Lucy was given the nickname “Lemonade Lucy,” as critics of blamed her for starting the prohibition era because she only served non-alcoholic beverages like lemonade at the White House.

Bubbly or Flat, that is the real question. The carbonated water was invented by a chemist in the late 1700s and was later added to lemonade in the 19th century –and has been a popular version of lemonade in Britain ever since. For me this is an unfortunate side effect of trying to get my favorite drink while abroad. As someone who studied abroad in London, this was my Achilles heel there. I got several warnings from servers that their lemonade may not be what i’m expecting, and boy were they right.

From lemonade, to limonada, to citronade, I’ve tried them all wherever I go. The only thing that seems to reign true is there is bound to be a toss-up with what you’re going to get. I’ve had lemonade served to me as flat, bubbly, what amounts to a glass of pure lemon juice, as well as the opposite: glorified water with and without the cute lemon slice on the rim.

Now that we’re all on the same page for what I’m looking for in “the world’s best lemonade” when I travel, we can get down to what I’ve found over the years in my search…

My Lemonade Travelogue

PORTUGAL. The best lemonade I’ve ever tasted –and that’s quite the compliment– was from Kul SteakHouse in Cascais, Portugal. The lemonade was clearly homemade, with basil and mint additions, as well as a hint of lime to add that little something extra. It was perfectly muddled, no chunks of pulp that get stuck in the straw. The inclusions were just enough that you could still taste the lemon’s citrus perfection over everything else. This was the only time I’ve ever paid for a drink twice while abroad. I just needed a second glass. (Let’s all take a second to appreciate everywhere that does free refills in the U.S.!!!). It came in a short, wide, rocks glass–like something that a wealthy man would drink whiskey from in his home office. The presentation as whole was spot-on, so much so that I felt like I had ordered a decadent cocktail instead of just a still lemonade. There was a hunk of a squeezed lime, a pluck of basil leaves, and a few dashes of mint. There was also a small scoop of ice (roughly a quarter cup). The best part was that despite the smaller glass and the inclusions, there was still plenty of liquid–nothing worse than only getting 3 sips out of a 5 euro drink. That certainly was not the case here, this glass felt like an optical illusion with how much lemonade you actually got.

FRANCE. The DIY scene has been taking the world by storm since 2016, where we all learned just how much you could do in 5 minutes. And for some reason this do-it-yourself charm spread its way to some of the lemonades I was served mainly in France (and Portugal). This was especially popular way to be served in Paris. (Though, I also got some this way in Lisbon, Portugal.) In these versions, I’ve been given a glass of pure lemon juice, a pile of sugar packets on the side, and a spoon. Formally, this drink is called a citron presse and depending on where you go they may pre-add the water for you, or it comes in a separate glass on the side so you can mix to your liking. You also get the added bonus that it comes with ice, a rarity when traveling through France. The sugar comes on the side as well, giving you the chance to decide just how sour (or sweet) you prefer your lemonade to be. This style can be a good way to add an interactive element to your dining experience, although it isn’t my favorite when I’m looking for something on the sweeter side.

BELGIUM. Over the summer I was in Brussels, Belgium for a few days, and while there we were desperate for a good waffle. We stumbled into Hashtag Burgers & Brunch, and while there I (of course) added a lemonade to my waffle order. The lemonade here was deceivingly great. At first glance it looked like your standard bar lemonade that comes out of a soda gun dispenser. You know, the kind can get anywhere and never feels worth the price. But I was pleasantly surprised to encounter a strong, tart lemonade to take the edge off from a morning of sightseeing. There was no pulp (not always a bad thing in my opinion), and it was served in a standard glass with a bit of ice. It didn’t seem like anything special, but the sharpness of the citrus paired beautifully with the heartiness of the burger-style waffles. You know a lemonade is going to be good when it forms a bit of an ombre. Rationally I know this is just because of the separation of the ingredients, but without fail it always leads to the best lemonade around.

LONDON. If you’re looking to get a quick bottle of lemonade you take with you to a picnic on the Heath (10/10 recommend by the way!)… “Freshly Squeezed Still Lemonade” from Marks and Spencer is the way to go. Containing half a lemon and pure goodness, it’s a small price to pay for happiness in a bottle (and that price is just under three pounds). It was perfect to throw in my tote and cart around when I needed a little pick-me-up. It reminded me a lot of Simply Lemonade from back in the States, with that same freshness and strong flavor profile.

In terms of getting lemonade out and about or in a restaurant, I found market stalls to be the best for still lemonade that had a homemade feel to it. Borough market has the vibrant (and viral) purple lavender lemonade, a fun take on the classic drink with hints to Taylor Swift’s hit song “Lavender Haze”. This lemonade is tart and floral, and although it is made with sparkling water, it still is a fun drink to try. It’s important to keep in mind that the standard lemonade in the UK is traditionally made with sparkling water/soda, even if it isn’t advertised to be fizzy (something I learned very quickly when those bubbles would hit my mouth without warning). Even with the addition of bubbles, it’s exciting to try a favorite from home across the sea–and appreciate their take on it!

MICHIGAN. While on campus at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, I love to sip on a drink while I study, attend class after class, or while working at the study abroad office. One of my favorite coffee places practically on campus is M-36, and I recently discovered their juices and lemonades. I opted for the Wild Strawberry and Mint Lemonade, which was packed full of flavor and perfect to quench the thirst after a long day. The mint mixed with the strawberries resulted in a light and refreshing beverage, like taking a deep breath of that last bit of summer air. The tartness of the lemonade was perfect too. Next, I’m looking forward to trying their other flavors such as the raspberry and “Peach Double Green.”

Lemonade really came into my heart at the American staple, the summer postcard, and what feels like the world’s most expensive outing all wrapped into one: the summer fair. I vividly remember fair lemonade from when I was a child. The fun plastic cup, mile-long bendy straw, and some of the best lemonade out there. But it’s hard to find that simple classic you can count on these days. Lemonade seems to have taken a turn for the worse at these. Recently, at the Traverse City Cherry Festival, I felt like I was experiencing a real-life Mandela effect; or, I was sipping on the realities of inflation. The lemonade I spent a whopping 13 dollars on was nothing but sugar water. Where was the lemon? Where was that tangy citrus that makes you squint your eyes? I felt like I was looking at a canvas with no paint.

I’m not too good for canned.

Think about Chelsea from Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse season 3, episode 2, sometimes you want lemonade–just lemonade. I’m not too good for a pre-made drink. And let’s be real, I certainly would rather have that versus some of the “fresh” ones I’ve paid for. And I don’t have the money to be paying continuously for barista-only concoctions. Whether at home, on vacation, or on your college campus, if all you’ve got is a grocery aisle, I’d recommend grabbing Brisk. Minute Maid is good too, but Brisk leans more towards the sour end while Minute Maid is pure sweetness. It can be easy to over complicate lemonade, to the point where you can’t even call it lemonade anymore and it needs a Tumbler 2016 rebrand.

Lemonade will always be my drink of choice. Pink or yellow–I’ll take it either way, just as long as it’s still, not sparkling. I’ve learned to ask to limit the surprises I’m served. One thing I’ve for sure is the word “lemonade” means something very different depending on where you happen to be.

Next on my lemonade journey is to take a trip to towns that surround themselves with citrus. I’m looking at heading to France this winter, and situated right next to the Italian border is the town Menton in the French Riviera. Italy has its own city of lemons, with Sorrento taking that title. What a dream it would be to sip lemonade in a city that has integrated lemons into the culture!

Note from our editors: If you’re in love with lemonade like Lindsay, we highly recommend a trip to the Spanish island of Mallorca and finding your way to the small mountain town of Sóller, famous for its citrus. You can take wonderful hikes surrounded by acres and acres of groves. Our favorite place here for fresh lemonade (and food!!!!): Can Gata, a super small local cafe where you sit under lemon and orange trees, can get delish lemon-centric beverages AND pet the cutest chill cats… and all with friendly service and wonderful Mallorcan cuisine.

More from Mallorca coming soon!

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