Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water (for simple syrup)
1 cup fresh lemon juice (from 4-5 medium lemons)
1/2 to 3/4 cup dill pickle juice (adjust to taste)
3-4 cups cold water (for dilution)
Ice cubes
Lemon slices or fresh dill sprigs for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Simple Syrup. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 cup of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool completely to room temperature.
Step 2: Juice the Lemons. Roll lemons on a countertop, then cut in half and squeeze to extract about 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Strain the juice through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any seeds or pulp.
Step 3: Combine the Ingredients. In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup, strained lemon juice, and 1/2 cup of dill pickle juice. Stir well.
Step 4: Taste and Adjust. Taste the mixture. If you prefer a stronger pickle flavor or more tang, add additional pickle juice, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring and tasting after each addition. Adjust sweetness with more simple syrup if desired.
Step 5: Dilute and Chill. Add 3-4 cups of cold water to the pitcher, or until the desired strength and dilution are reached. Stir again. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours for best flavor and chill.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish. Fill glasses with ice. Pour the chilled Pickle Lemonade over the ice. Garnish with a fresh lemon slice, a sprig of fresh dill, or a small pickle spear.
Notes
For the best flavor, use good quality dill pickle juice. Avoid sweet pickles for this recipe. You can adjust the amount of pickle juice to your personal preference; some like it subtly tangy, others prefer a bolder pickle punch. For an extra kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the simple syrup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (for simple syrup)
- Category: Drinks, Snacks & Holiday Treats
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240ml)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 0.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg