Pink lemonade and regular lemonade are two of the most popular and common summertime beverages. Both are made from lemon fruit, so they may be so similar in taste that some might think that only the coloring is different. But that’s not always the case. There are a number of differences between the two.
What are those differences? Indeed, the main difference between pink lemonade and regular lemonade lies in the color. Pink lemonade takes on a pink to reddish color depending on the coloring ingredient used, while regular lemonade is light yellow or a strong lemony yellow depending on how many lemons and the kind of lemon you put into the lemonade.
The type of sweetener can also alter the color of your pink and regular lemonade.
What are Other Differences Between Pink Lemonade and Regular Lemonade?
Besides a clear difference in their color, the kind of lemons used are sometimes different. Regular lemonade uses regular lemons, and pink lemonade sometimes uses mutated lemons, which are pink in color.
Pink lemons belong to the species Citrus Limon. These were a random mutation discovered in the 1930’s on a Eureka lemon tree in Burbank, California. These were called Variegated Eureka Lemon or Pink Lemonade Lemon. The fruit is green or white striped and pink-fleshed.
A direct variety exists, called Zebra lemon. It is also green and white striped, but the flesh can either be dark yellow or light pink. These variegated lemons have the most fragrant leaves of all lemon trees. As they age, the stripes on their rind lighten, and the juice becomes sweeter.
Pink lemons taste pretty much like regular lemons. And like regular lemons, the juice runs clear. But the color is tinted pink.
Most regular lemons are sour all through, but as we said, pink lemons sweeten as they mature. That’s why it’s best to choose fully ripe pink lemons when making lemonade (whenever available) since you get to use fewer amounts of sugar to sweeten your beverage.
That being said, some yellow hybrid lemons are sweeter than others. Meyer lemons from China and sweet lemons from New Zealand and Australia, in particular, are some of the sweet varieties of yellow lemons.
Another difference is in the lycopene content. Pink lemonade that uses pink lemons has lycopene, the nutrient that gives pink lemons their pinkish color.
One more difference is in the kind of fruit or juices used. You can use different fruits to make pink lemonade. Besides, pink lemonade is limited in availability. It is not always in season. Some of the popular choices are strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry. Others use these in combination with lemons to make pink lemonade.
What are Ways to Sweeten Your Lemonade?
You may sweeten a sour lemonade with caster sugar, agave, and stevia. Other sweeteners are honey, corn syrup, and maple syrup. These sweeteners may deepen or lighten the color of your pink lemonade and regular lemonade.
What are Ways to Make Yellow Lemonade Pink?
Besides using pink lemons, strawberries, raspberries, and cranberries, you may also use cherries or Grenadine syrup. Others use red food dye to get the color. Learn more about what makes pink lemonade pink.
What Flavor is Pink Lemonade?
The flavor of pink lemonade varies with the ingredients used, but real pink lemonade tastes the same as regular lemonade or yellow lemonade. It’s sweet and tangy. This is because it uses real lemons, they’re just pink-colored ones. However, using or adding other fruits, syrups, and colorants to the lemonade will naturally change the flavor.
Is Pink Lemonade Alcoholic?
Pink lemonade may or may not contain alcohol. Some think that pink lemonade is different from regular lemonade due to its alcoholic content. But both pink lemonade and regular lemonade can be alcohol-free or spiked with some alcohol or liqueur. Some of the more popular choices for mixing are vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and Midori liqueur.
Does Pink Lemonade Taste Like Regular Lemonade?
Yes, any pink lemonade that uses only pink lemons will taste exactly the same as regular lemonade. This is because they are both lemons and come from the same tree species, which is Citrus Limon.
Is Pink Lemonade and Strawberry Lemonade the Same?
Yes, if the pink lemonade uses strawberry as the main ingredient, then they’re the same. But a pink lemonade that only uses artificial coloring and flavoring or Grenadine syrup in lemonade is not the same as a real strawberry lemonade.
Which Has More Calories Pink Lemonade or Regular Lemonade?
Pink lemonade and regular lemonade likely have the same calories, or at the least, they are pretty close in calorie count. Both have almost the same ingredients, and it’s usually the amount of sweetener and presence of artificial flavoring that will largely increase the calorie count.
How Do You Make Lemonade from Scratch?
It is easy to make lemonade from scratch. Here is how you make your own refreshing pitcher of lemonade:
- Juice 1 lemon for every cup of water. Reduce or add lemons and water to taste.
- Measure out a ¾ cup of sweetener. Reduce or increase the amount of sweetener to your liking.
- Dissolve or blend the sweetener in the water using slow heat. You may optionally heat it until it becomes syrupy, but you may need to add some more water to the mix later on. Alternatively, you may add some more ice cubes after chilling the lemonade.
- Turn it into pink lemonade by using some pink lemons or adding strawberries, raspberries, or grenadine syrup.
- Chill before serving.
- Complete your regular or pink lemonade with basil leaves or mint leaves before serving.
Final Thoughts
- Pink lemonade can be made from pink lemons, strawberries, cranberries, cherries, raspberries, red food dye, Grenadine syrup, and artificial flavoring.
- Pink lemon lemonade tastes exactly the same as regular lemonade.
- Pink lemons have pinkish flesh because of their lycopene content.
- The first pink lemons were found as a random mutation from a Eureka lemon tree in Burbank, California.
- Both pink lemonade and regular lemonade may or may not contain alcohol.