Iced Coffee Lemonade Recipe The Schmidty Wife

A Strange Idea That Works

I first heard about coffee with lemonade from my grandson. I thought he was joking. Coffee is warm and cozy. Lemonade is sunny and tart. But I tried it. Oh my, was I wrong. It is so refreshing. It wakes you right up.

Now I make it all summer. It feels like a secret. The bitter coffee and sweet lemonade become friends. They create a whole new flavor. Have you ever mixed two drinks you thought would clash? Tell me about it. I love hearing your kitchen experiments.

Why This Simple Drink Matters

This drink matters because it is simple. You only need three things. Life can feel so busy and complicated. A little treat should be easy. It reminds you to slow down. Sit on the porch. Sip something cold.

It also matters because it is a surprise. Trying new things keeps us young. My grandson taught me that. I still laugh at my own doubtful face. But he was right. It is good to be wrong sometimes.

How to Make Your Glass

Grab your tallest glass. Drop in a big handful of ice. The clinking sound is the best part. Then, pour in one-third cup of lemonade. Use your favorite kind. Next, add two-thirds cup of cold brew coffee.

Give it a gentle stir. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Now taste it. You might want more lemonade for sweetness. Or more coffee for a stronger kick. Make it just for you. What is your perfect sweet-to-strong ratio? I am always tweaking mine.

A Tiny Sip of History

This is not a new idea. People in parts of Europe have drunk something similar for ages. They call it a “coffee lemonade.” I think someone just got very thirsty one hot day. They reached for what was nearby. A happy accident was born.

Fun fact: Using cold brew coffee is key. It is smoother and less acidic than hot coffee. This means it plays nicer with the lemonade. No sour face here, just smiles.

Your Turn to Shake Things Up

This recipe is your starting point. Make it your own. Add a sprig of fresh mint. Or a little slice of ginger. You could even use iced tea instead of lemonade for a different twist. The kitchen is your playground.

Will you try the classic version first? Or will you jump right in with your own twist? I would love to know what you create. Share your ideas with me. Let us swap stories over a cold, clinking glass.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Lemonade	1/3 cup
Cold brew coffee	2/3 cup
Ice	1 handful

My Summer Sparkler: Iced Coffee Lemonade

Hello, my dear! Let’s make a fun summer drink. I call it my Summer Sparkler. It mixes lemonade and cold coffee. I know it sounds funny. But trust your kitchen grandma. It is so refreshing. The sweet and tart lemonade dances with the deep coffee. It wakes you up and cools you down. My grandson invented this one hot afternoon. We still laugh at that messy kitchen experiment. Now it’s my favorite hot-day treat. Let’s make it together. It’s easier than pie. Actually, it’s easier than making toast!

You just need three things. Good, strong cold brew coffee, your favorite lemonade, and ice. The cold brew is important. It’s smooth and not bitter. I make a big jar every Sunday. (My hard-learned tip: if you use hot coffee, let it get very cold first. Otherwise, your ice will melt and make a weak, watery drink. Nobody wants that!). Doesn’t that combination smell amazing? Like a sunny morning and a lemon grove all at once. Are you ready? Let’s get mixing.

Step 1

Grab your tallest glass. I like a clear one so I can see the pretty colors. Now, take a big handful of ice. Plop it right into the glass. Hear that lovely clinking sound? That’s the sound of a cool drink coming. You want the glass nice and full of ice. This keeps everything frosty cold from the very first sip. A lukewarm sparkler is no fun at all.

Step 2

Now, pour in your lemonade. Use about one-third of a cup. Watch it swirl around the ice cubes. It looks like liquid sunshine. Next, slowly pour two-thirds of a cup of cold brew coffee over the lemonade. I love this part. The dark coffee sinks and creates beautiful swirls in the yellow lemonade. It looks like a storm cloud meeting the sun. It’s almost too pretty to stir!

Step 3

Take a long spoon. Gently stir everything together. You’ll see the drink turn a lovely caramel color. Now, the most important step. Taste it! Does it need more zing? Add a tiny splash of lemonade. Want it a bit stronger? A little more coffee. This drink is all about your own taste. Do you like yours sweeter or stronger? Share below! And there you have it. A perfect Summer Sparkler. Sip it slowly on the porch. I think you’ll love it.

Cook Time	5 minutes
Total Time	5 minutes
Yield	1 serving
Category	Drink, Non-Alcoholic

Three Tasty Twists to Try

Once you love the basic recipe, try a little twist. It’s fun to play with flavors. Here are my three favorite ways to change it up. They are all simple but feel so fancy. I feel like a cafe barista when I make them.

• The Vanilla Dream: Add a drop of vanilla extract before you stir. It smells like a coffee shop cookie.
• The Fizzy Lift: Use sparkling lemonade instead of regular. The tiny bubbles make it extra festive.
• The Creamy Swirl: Add a spoonful of sweet cream. Just float it on top for a pretty look.

Which one would you try first? Comment below! I’m leaning toward the fizzy one today myself.

Serving It Up Right

This drink is a whole mood. Serve it with a simple shortbread cookie for dipping. Or a buttery croissant on the side. For garnish, a thin lemon slice on the rim looks lovely. A sprig of mint adds a fresh garden smell. It’s perfect for a sunny afternoon break.

What to drink with it? Well, it is a drink! But if you’re having friends over, pair it with a crisp iced tea for a non-alcoholic party. For a grown-up evening, a light rosé wine would be lovely. Which would you choose tonight? I’ll be on the porch with my sparkler, watching the birds.

Keeping Your Coffee Lemonade Cool and Fresh

This drink is best made fresh. But you can plan ahead. Make a big batch of cold brew and lemonade separately. Keep them in jars in the fridge for up to three days.

I once mixed a whole pitcher for a summer party. It saved me so much time. I just poured it over ice when guests arrived. Mixing them ahead can make the coffee taste bitter, so keep them apart until serving.

Batch cooking the parts means a quick treat is always ready. This matters on busy days. A little prep makes a happy moment easy. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Fixing Common Coffee Lemonade Hiccups

Is your drink too strong or too sweet? The fix is simple. Just change the ratio. Add more lemonade if the coffee overpowers. Add more coffee if it’s too sweet.

I remember when my first batch was too tart. I had used sour homemade lemonade. A tiny pinch of sugar balanced it right out. Getting the flavor right matters for your joy. A drink you love builds kitchen confidence.

Weak flavor often means your coffee is weak. Use a strong, good-quality cold brew. This matters because good ingredients make a great sip. Fun fact: Cold brew is less acidic than hot coffee. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

Q: Is this gluten-free? A: Yes, the basic ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Always check your store-bought labels.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Keep coffee and lemonade separate in the fridge. Mix just before serving.

Q: What can I use instead of lemonade? A: Try limeade or a splash of citrus soda for fun.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: Absolutely! It’s easy to make a big pitcher for friends.

Q: Any extra tips? A: A lemon slice or fresh mint makes it feel special. Which tip will you try first?

Wishing You a Refreshing Sip

I hope this recipe brings a cool smile to your day. It is a simple pleasure from my kitchen to yours. I love hearing your stories and seeing your creations.

Share your version with me. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! You can find me at @AnnasCozyKitchen. I cannot wait to see your beautiful drinks.

Happy cooking!
—Anna Whitmore.