When life gives you lemons, make lemonade! Because there is nothing better than a refreshing glass of homemade lemonade on a hot day, right? When the sun is above your head breathing fire, all you need is the tangy and cool lemonade to soothe your soul.
While the classic lemonade is tasty and pleasing, the high sugar content can be a concern. It’s the only downside of the otherwise perfect beverage. But, no worries, we have an incredible solution: a low-calorie lemonade.
An organic low-calorie lemonade has very little to no sugar. So, it is, of course, low in calories and high in nutrition. And refreshment. And taste. You got the idea! Made with less sugar and a variety of delicious flavor options, you can enjoy a guilt-free, hydrating drink that keeps you cool and satisfied.
Also Read: 10 Delicious Low Calories High Protein Meals
So, ready to beat the heat? Read on for the recipe!
Let’s Figure Out The Basics First
The two most important things for a low-calorie lemonade are:
- Sweetener (replacement of sugar)
- Fresh lemon juice
If you are preparing a low-calorie lemonade, make sure that you have both of them at hand.
Which Sweetener To Use?
Since we are not adding sugar to our lemonade, we can add a sweetener. It adds some tangy and sweet taste, while not boosting weight gain. One of the best sweeteners you can use is ‘Stevia,’ A natural sweetener extracted from plant leaves. It imparts a yummy sugary taste but fewer calories.
Besides Stevia, you can also go for other sweeteners, such as Erythritol, Splenda, Lakanto Monk Fruit, or Truvia. All the sweeteners with less than 5 calories per teaspoon are considered zero-calorie and can be used for the low-calorie lemonade.
Whether you go for Splenda or Stevia, the thing that requires your attention is the sugar conversion ratio. The table below lists the best sweeteners with their calorie count, sweetness, and conversion ratio.
| Sweetener | Sweetness compared to sugar | Calories per teaspoon | Conversion Ratio (1 tablespoon of sugar =) |
| Stevia | 200-300 times sweeter than sugar | 0-2 | ¼ teaspoon |
| Erythritol | 60-80% as sweet as sugar | 1-1.6 | 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon |
| Splenda (Sucralose) | 600 times sweeter than sugar | 0-1 | 1 ½ packet |
| Monk Fruit Sweetener | 100-250 times sweeter than sugar | 0-1 | 15 drops |
How To Get Fresh Lemon Juice?
Ditch the store-bought bottled lemon juice. Squeeze out the fresh juice for a vibrant and fresh taste in your lemonade. It might be a hassle to squeeze these many lemons but the taste and flavor will be worth it.
Generally, you can extract 2-3 tablespoons of juice from one lemon. So, squeeze as many lemons as you need; 5 to 10 would be enough to get one and a half of juice. You can do it by hand or get a lemon juicer for easy handling.
How To Make A Low-Calorie Lemonade Pitcher?
Here is the most awaited recipe for low-calorie lemonade for you. We’ll have a base ratio of water, lemon, and sweetener in this sweet and refreshing drink.
- Water ~ 8 cups
- Lemon juice ~ 1½ cups
- Sweetener equivalent to 1½ sugar ~ ¾ cups
Remember that this ratio is specifically for 8 cups of lemonade, and you can change it as per your needs.
What To Do
- Add the lemon juice and sweetener to the water.
- Mix it well with the whisk until the sweetener is fully dissolved and the taste of the lemonade develops.
- Add some ice cubes, garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves, and serve cold.
Tip: If the sweetener doesn’t dissolve easily, then first dissolve it in 1 cup of hot water and then mix that syrup with the rest of the water.
How To Make A Single-Serving Organic Low-Calorie Lemonade?
Don’t need a pitcher, but a glass just for yourself? Here is a quick low-calorie lemonade recipe:
What You Need
- Lemon juice ~ 3 tablespoons
- Water ~ 1 cup
- Sweetener ~ 1.5 tablespoons
What To Do
- Add lemon juice and sweetener to a cup of water.
- Mix until well combined.
- Add in some ice or chill in the freezer. Serve cold and refreshing!
Want To Make A Classic Lemonade Sparkling Water?
If you want to add a sparkle to your low-calorie lemonade, let us tell you a trick. How about using a diet 7up or lemon-lime soda? Yes, you can add diet soda to your low-calorie lemonade without worrying about extra calories.
Remember not to use a regular soda as it contains heaps of sugar and does not really go well with a low-calorie drink.
Honestly, a sparkling sugar-free lemonade is better than the other. You can also add citrus fruits like oranges, lime, or grapefruits to make it a zero-sugar flavored water. The ultimate boost of taste and hydration!
How Many Calories Are There In A Low-Calorie Lemonade?
This lemonade has less than ten calories. Sounds exciting, right? Now, you can have low-calorie lemonade without sugar guilt-free even if you are on a diet.
Even if you are following a keto diet and struggling to lose belly fat, this incredibly flavorful lemonade will do no harm. Moreover, it is the best low-calorie lemonade for diabetics and those who generally avoid sugar.
To enjoy it more, you can serve it in the mason jar with a straw and a lemon slice over it. It makes all the difference, trust us. Also, you don’t have to limit yourself to plain, boring lemonade. You can experiment with fruits, and try other flavors like McDonald’s strawberry lemonade.
Benefits Of Low-Calorie Lemonade
Making you feel refreshed in the scorching heat is not the only benefit of this low-calorie beverage. It also strengthens your immunity, helps melt extra fat, and improves overall health. Here are a few benefits of the low-calorie lemonade:
1. Hydration Hero
Low-calorie lemonade can be a delicious way to stay hydrated and support your well-being. Especially on hot days or during exercise, this easy low-calorie lemonade can be a refreshing drink that helps you stay hydrated.
2. Fructose-Friendly Choice
Lemon is a low-fructose fruit, containing numerous benefits for problems like obesity and heart diseases. The low-calorie lemonade is the perfect choice of drink to add sweetness and healthy flavors to your life.
3. Rich In Antioxidants
Lemons, the key ingredient in lemonade, are a good source of vitamin C and other antioxidants, like flavonoids and limonoids. They fight off the free radicals in your body, reduce oxidative stress, and boost your immune system.
4. Helps In Weight Loss
Because it’s low in calories, this lemonade can be a helpful beverage for weight management. It curbs cravings for sugary drinks and promotes feelings of fullness, aiding in calorie control. Remember not to add even a hint of sugar in the low-calorie lemonade for weight loss.
Shall We Make Lemonade?
Are you tired of the lemons life’s throwing at you? It’s time to make an amazing low-calorie lemonade! It’s not only diet-friendly since it contains no sugar but also is rich in flavors and taste. Moreover, you can feel refreshed and energized within minutes. So, lay back, slow down, and beat the heat with a tantalizing glass of low-calorie lemonade.
