Why You Need To Try Dill Pickle Lemonade (With Recipe)
The combination of dill pickles and lemonade might not seem immediately obvious, but we’d like to thank whoever came up with this genius idea!
Dill pickle lemonade is a zingy and thirst-quenching summer drink that everyone really should try.
But what is dill pickle lemonade, and why should you try it? This refreshing drink is made from a blend of homemade lemonade and dill pickle vinegar, garnished with slices of dill pickle. It has a sweet yet tart flavor, with a hint of saltiness — the perfect “pick me up” when the summer heat is wearing you down!
Want to learn more about the best way to make dill pickle lemonade? We have got all the answers and more for you!
We will take a look at the best ingredients to use when making dill pickle lemonade and give you some tips on the best way to make and serve this delicious summer drink.
What Is Dill Pickle Lemonade?
Dill pickle lemonade is a refreshing summer drink made from lemon juice and pickle juice. Now we know that sounds a bit zany, but bear with us here!
The combination of pickles and lemonade is not an obvious one, but they work together surprisingly well here.
Think about it — lemons and pickles are the perfect partners, and all we are doing is combining the two in a summery drink!
One thing that may not have occurred to you is that dill pickle lemonade is actually very good for you. Not only will it quench your thirst, but it also has some great health benefits:
- The sugar and salts in dill pickle lemonade are great for an electrolyte and energy boost.
- Fermented pickle juice contains probiotics, which are beneficial to digestive health.
- Dill contains a compound that can help to lower cholesterol.
- Pickle juice can help to regulate blood sugar levels.
- Vinegar and dill have antibacterial properties that can help to combat bad breath.
- Dill pickle lemonade is a great hangover cure, helping to rehydrate and replenish sugars and electrolytes.
Still feeling a bit dubious about dill pickle lemonade? We’re here to convince you to try this amazing drink, and we’re not giving up until we’ve succeeded!
So, if the great health benefits of this summer drink haven’t been enough to convince you, let’s take a look at what it tastes like.
What Does Dill Pickle Lemonade Taste Like?
The intense yet smooth flavor of dill pickle lemonade is one of those taste sensations that sounds so wrong, yet somehow is far better than you could have ever imagined!
The predominant flavor is similar to traditional homemade lemonade, with a sweet yet tart, fresh and lemony flavor.
But under this, there are subtle hints of a salty, vinegar flavor thanks to the pickling liquid. This liquid also takes on some of the flavors of the dill pickles and seasonings, and this contributes to the flavor of the lemonade.
The result is an intense lemon-flavored drink that is sweet yet tart, with a hint of saltiness. If you’ve ever tried the wonder that is salted lemons, you’ll have a good idea of what we’re talking about here!
Once you’ve given this thirst-quenching summer drink a try, we are sure you’ll be hooked!
How Is Dill Pickle Lemonade Made?
Dill pickle lemonade piggybacks off exactly what you would imagine — dill pickles and lemonade. But how do these ingredients come together to create this tasty beverage?
Dill pickles are actually tiny cucumbers, grown especially for pickling, that are preserved in a specially blended brine that consists of a mix of vinegar, salt, sugar, water, and seasonings.
These delicious and highly popular pickles are widely available at most grocery stores, or you can make them at home as well.
The predominant flavoring in dill pickles is the herb, dill, which gives them the distinctive flavor we know and love.
The great thing about dill pickle lemonade is that it makes use of the leftover pickling vinegar in the jar when you’ve eaten all the pickles!
The other component of dill pickle lemonade is the lemon syrup base. This is exactly the same as when we make a traditional homemade lemonade — a blend of lemon juice and sugar, to create a tart yet sweet syrup.
Dill Pickle Lemonade Recipe
If you’re already a dab hand at making homemade lemonade, then dill pickle lemonade is a simple adaptation of this familiar recipe.
But if you’re new to the world of homemade lemonade, don’t panic! We’ve got a super simple step-by-step recipe right here for you.
Step-By-Step Guide To Making Dill Pickle Lemonade
Ingredients
- A jar of dill pickle vinegar, preferably with one or two pickles left in the jar for garnishing
- 10-12 fresh lemons (enough to make 1 cup of fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup of white sugar
- 3 cups of cold water
- Ice
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Lemon juicer
- Measuring cup or jug
- Large spoon
- Pitcher, preferably with a lid
Instructions
- Start by making your dill pickle lemonade. Cut the lemons in half on a cutting board using a sharp knife.
- Juice all the lemons into the measuring cup using the lemon juicer. Make sure to remove any seeds that fall into the juice.
- Add the lemon juice, sugar, and water to the pitcher. Stir well until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Take the pickle jar and pour 10 ounces of the pickling liquid into a measuring cup.
- Pour the pickling liquid into the pitcher and stir well to combine. Put the pitcher in the fridge for a couple of hours to cool the lemonade.
- Now it’s time to serve your dill pickle lemonade! If you have a couple of dill pickles left over, slice them into thin strips.
- Half fill a glass with ice and pour the chilled lemonade over the ice to just below the rim of the glass.
- Garnish the drink with the sliced dill pickles, and voila – the most refreshing summer drink you’ll ever try!
- Serving suggestion — if you don’t have any dill pickles, then a thin slice of lemon or lime can work just as well.
Dill Pickle Lemonade
Dill pickle lemonade is a refreshing summer drink made from lemon juice and pickle juice — a surprisingly delicious flavor combination that also provides a bounty of great health benefits!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- A jar of dill pickle vinegar, preferably with one or two pickles left in the jar for garnishing
- 10-12 fresh lemons (enough to make 1 cup of fresh lemon juice)
- ½ cup of white sugar
- 3 cups of cold water
- Ice
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Lemon juicer
- Measuring cup or jug
- Large spoon
- Pitcher, preferably with a lid
Instructions
- Start by making your dill pickle lemonade. Cut the lemons in half on a cutting board using a sharp knife.
- Juice all the lemons into the measuring cup using the lemon juicer. Make sure to remove any seeds that fall into the juice.
- Add the lemon juice, sugar, and water to the pitcher. Stir well until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Take the pickle jar and pour 10 ounces of the liquid into a measuring cup.
- Pour the pickling liquid into the pitcher and stir well to combine. Put the pitcher in the fridge for a couple of hours to cool the lemonade.
- Now it’s time to serve your dill pickle lemonade! If you have a couple of dill pickles left over, slice them into thin strips.
- Half fill a glass with ice and pour the chilled lemonade over the ice to just below the rim of the glass.
- Garnish the drink with the sliced dill pickles, and voila – the most refreshing summer drink you’ll ever try!
- Serving suggestion — if you don’t have any dill pickles, then a thin slice of lemon or lime can work just as well.
How Do You Make Dill Pickles?
To take your dill pickle vinegar to the next level, you could try making your own dill pickles too! This way you get the best of both worlds – crisp homemade dill pickles, and a jar of the perfect blend of pickling vinegar for your lemonade.
Preserving pickling cucumbers for long-term storage is a slightly complicated process, but you can simplify this by making refrigerator pickles.
As the name suggests, they are stored in the fridge which reduces the need for complex processes such as fermentation and canning.
Here are some simple instructions for making your own dill refrigerator pickles at home:
- Mix equal amounts of water and vinegar in a pan, then add salt and sugar to taste.
- Yes, we know that tasting vinegar is not fun, but this is the best way to get the right blend for you! Some people prefer their pickles with a hint of sweetness, while others like an intensely salty flavor.
- Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer for a couple of minutes, then allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Pack the cucumbers into jars.
- Small cucumbers can be pickled whole, while larger ones should be sliced.
- Pour the cooled brine over the cucumbers, and add any flavorings you desire.
- Fresh dill, whole black peppercorns, and sliced garlic will all work well.
- Seal the jars and place them in the refrigerator.
- They will be ready to eat after 1 week and will last for around 2 months.
Related Questions
Now we’ve got dill pickle lemonade (and dill pickles) all figured out, let’s take a look at some other common and lemonade-related questions!
How long does homemade lemonade last?
Because it is made with fresh ingredients without any preservatives, homemade lemonade will not last for as long as the store-bought version.
If kept in a covered jug in the refrigerator, your homemade lemonade will stay good to drink for up to 7 days.
Luckily, a batch of homemade lemonade is so simple to make that it isn’t a problem to make a new jug every week or so! And homemade lemonade is so delicious, there’s a big chance it will all be polished off within a day or so anyway.
Can you make sparkling lemonade at home?
The “fizz” in store-bought lemonade occurs as a result of carbonation. Unless you have a SodaStream machine lurking at the back of your kitchen cupboards, it is going to be tricky to make carbonated lemonade at home!
Luckily, there is a very simple way to make sparkling lemonade at home. Simply pour your lemon syrup over ice in a tall glass, then fill to the top with chilled club soda or sparkling water for instant fizziness!
This won’t stay fizzy for long, so don’t be tempted to make up a jugful in advance.
How do you make elderflower lemonade?
With its light flavor with floral undertones, elderflower lemonade is a refreshing summer drink. It is super speedy and simple to make, and is a great way to take your traditional lemonade recipe to the next level!
All you need to do is make an elderflower syrup, then use this as the base for your lemonade. Here are some simple instructions:
- Mix 1 cup of water with 1 cup of dried or fresh elderflowers and 1 cup of granulated sugar in a large pan.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, turn off the heat, then let the mixture stand for one hour.
- Strain the liquid carefully through muslin or cheesecloth to remove the flowers.
- Add 6 cups of water and the juice of 2 lemons to the cooled syrup and stir well.
- Pour the lemonade into a jug and refrigerate for several hours.
- Serve in tall glasses over ice, topped with a thin slice of lemon. Enjoy!
