I received a gift card to facilitate the creation of this sparkling lemonade recipe from Cost Plus World Market®‎; all opinions are my own.

We recently had a backyard party and even though the sun refused to shine, we had a punch that will make any sunny day better. It’s a sparkling lemonade made from fresh lemons, agave nectar, and soda water or lemon lime soda. It’s refreshing, light, and tasty!

More Summer Outdoor Party Recipes: Grilled Caprese Pesto Sliders Appetizers, Spinach Strawberry and Feta Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing, Easy and Creamy Shrimp Dip Appetizer,  Sparkling Lemonade, and Homemade Vanilla Bean with Grilled Pineapple and Toasted Coconut

Sparkling Lemonade Recipe: Why Use Agave?

By using agave instead of sugar, there’s no need to make a simple syrup or worry about the sugar dissolving. It takes less than 10 minutes to juice the lemons, add the agave syrup, and soda to create a sparkling lemonade your guests will love!

I use Tres Agaves Organic Agave Nectar  (available at World Market). I choose this brand because it’s organic, but also because it pours and dissolves easily and has a consistent sweetness level. It was created for Margaritas and other mixed drinks and has no high fructose corn syrup.

I served the sparkling lemonade in a gorgeous Blue Glass Yorkshire Dispenser (Holds 2 gallons, hand wash only – regular price $19.99) . This stunning blue glass container is vintage looking which is so trendy! It’s the perfect size, shape, and color for so many events like weddings, baby showers, and picnics! It holds 2 gallons, enough for your thirsty guests! My only caveat is that it has a plastic spigot and you do have to tighten it before you put in the juice to avoid drips (something I forgot to do and I had lemonade in the bottom of my refrigerator the first time I used it – I didn’t make that mistake again!).

I marked the dispenser with a Tiki Drink Dispenser Tag that can be erased and reused for another event or somewhere else in the house. It’s currently hanging on a knob in the kitchen with “CAKE” written on it. It was my subtle way of telling the hubby I need a sweet treat. It worked, he brought me a cupcake!

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Lemonade Recipe: Quick and Easy Sparkling for a Crowd
Makes about 1 gallon of juice (2 with ice)
Yield: 1 gallon
Prep Time: 
Total Time: 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup lemon juice (about 5 large or 8 medium lemons - wash the lemons and cut them in half)
  • ⅔ cup agave nectar (like Tres Agaves Organic Agave Nectar)
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 2 liter lemon lime soda - diet, regular, or soda water
  • ice
Instructions
  1. Juice the lemons and toss the rinds into a 2-gallon container.
  2. Add measured and strained lemon juice, agave, and water. (I leave out the seeds but love the pulp). Stir
  3. Taste test and add more juice or agave as necessary - it will be strong, you'll be adding 2 liters of soda. You can prepare this part ahead of time and refrigerate. Use within 5 days.
  4. Just before serving, add soda and ice
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Sparkling Lemonade Recipe: Alternatives

Want to switch it up?  How about a sparkling strawberry lemonade! Put the 2/3 cup agave into a sauce pan with at least 1 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries. Heat on low until the strawberries breakdown then  turn the heat up to medium and bring it to a boil. When it thickens to a syrupy consistency, remove it from the heat to cool. Add the sauce to the lemon juice and water and then add additional strawberries for garnish inside the pitcher along with the lemon rinds. Continue the recipe as usual.

Sparkling Lemonade Recipe: Products Used in this Recipe

Do you have a go-to summer lemonade recipe?