Frozen Lemonade
on Mar 14, 2024
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A refreshing drink that will cool you down on hot days. Ready in 3 minutes and 3 ingredients, this frozen lemonade recipe is easy and simple.
Recipe Highlights
- This super simple and delicious frozen drink is made in a blender with lemonade, xanthan gum, and ice.
- Sweet and tart, this frozen lemonade is the perfect thirst-quenching drink on a hot day.
- The secret to making frozen drink smooth and frothy is xanthan gum, an ingredient that’s in Frappuccinos.
RELATED: Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
What is Xanthan Gum?
Xanthan gum is a natural ingredient made of fermented corn starch. In food and drinks, it acts as a thickening and stabilizer. This means it prevents ingredients from separating. It’s commonly used in gluten-free baking, but it’s also useful in drink recipes.
In this frozen lemonade, xanthan gum is essential for a keeping the lemonade and ice together, making the drink creamy and smooth.
Starbucks makes all their Frappuccino drinks with a Frappuccino base syrup, which is made with xanthan gum.
RELATED: Frozen Hibiscus Lemonade
Ingredient Notes
- Lemonade: If you’re using store-bought lemonade, pick one that has minimal ingredients and sweetener. You can also use homemade lemonade to control the sugar content.
- Xanthan gum: Always use fresh xanthan gum. If it’s expired, its thickening effects won’t work as well.
- Ice: For less powerful blenders, use smaller ice cubes. If possible, use ice made with filtered water for a better, cleaner taste.
For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Pour lemonade into the blender. Add xanthan gum.
To prevent air pockets and to prevent clumping, always add liquids into the blender first.
Step 2: Add ice.
The heaviest and hardest ingredient should always go into the blender last.
Step 3: Close the lid and blend on low speed, then quickly increase to high.
Step 4: Pour frozen lemonade into a cup. Serve immediately.
Garnish by lining the cup with lemon slices.
Recipe Tip
The xanthan gum is what gives the drink the perfect Frappuccino-like texture. You can take xanthan gum out, but the drink will separate and lose its creamy consistency.
Expert Tips
- If making your own lemonade, use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Add extra lemon juice for a more tart drink.
- Add a flavored syrup like strawberry syrup or peach syrup to make different flavored frozen lemonades.
- Use a blender tamper to help crush the ice easier. The tamper will help to move the ingredients around the blender container to get an even blend.
Questions You May Have
This frozen lemonade uses the perfect proportions of lemonade, xanthan gum, and ice.
You can leave out the xanthan gum, but the drink won’t have a smooth and frothy texture. It will quickly separate without xanthan gum and it’ll be too icy, making it hard to drink.
When made with fresh lemon juice, lemonade is a good source of vitamin C. However, it also contains sugar, so it should be enjoyed in moderation.
Related
- 17 Thirst-Quenching Lemonade Recipes
- Strawberry Green Tea Lemonade
- Hibiscus Lemonade
- Mint Lemonade
- Lavender Lemonade
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Frozen Lemonade
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup lemonade
- ⅛ teaspoon xanthan gum powder
- 1 ½ cup ice
Instructions
- Put lemonade, xanthan gum, and ice into a blender. Secure lid.Place ingredients in the blender in order listed.
- Blend until smooth. Start the blender on LOW speed for 5 seconds. Increase speed to HIGH for a full minute.
- Pour frozen lemonade into a cup. Serve immediately.
Notes
- If you’re using store-bought lemonade, pick one that has minimal ingredients and sweetener. You can also use homemade lemonade to control the sugar content.
- Always use fresh xanthan gum. If it’s expired, its thickening effects won’t work as well.
- The xanthan gum is what gives the frozen lemonade the perfect Frappucino-like texture. You can take it out, but the drink will separate and be too icy to drink easily.
- For less powerful blenders, use smaller ice cubes. If possible, use ice made with filtered water for a better, cleaner taste.
- Lemonade should go in first into the blender, followed by the xanthan gum powder to prevent clumping. The ice cubes, which are the heaviest, should go in last to prevent air pockets.
- Use a blender tamper to help crush the ice easier. The tamper will help to move the ingredients around the blender container to get an even blend.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
