## Taste Test: 11 Lemonade Brands Like You’ve Never Experienced
As the sun begins to warm the air, nothing quite beats the feeling of chilled lemonade on a hot day. **Whether I’m gardening, hiking, or just trying to cool off**, a refreshing glass of that tangy delight is essential. With the grocery aisles being bombarded with an avalanche of lemonade brands, I decided it was time to embark on a quest to find the best.
Over the course of a month, I taste-tested **11 different lemonade brands** to discover which one truly deserves a spot in your fridge this summer. Grab a glass, and let’s dive into this delightful journey!
### How I Chose the Store-Bought Lemonade Brands
Selecting a variety of lemonades was a walk in the park, as most grocery stores brimming with options make for great exploration. For this taste test, I focused on **classic flavors**, opting out of any varieties featuring trendy additions like strawberry or mango. I kept things consistent by avoiding sugar-free versions as well, allowing for a fair evaluation across the board.
### How I Tested the Store-Bought Lemonade Brands
To bring back the nostalgia, I tapped into memories of enjoying lemonade from a neighborhood stand, focusing on the essential qualities: **sweetness balanced with citrus overtones**. Each glass was chilled to perfection, and I took care to sample only three lemonades at a time during each tasting session, ensuring the flavors didn’t clash.
### The Best Store-Bought Lemonades, Ranked
#### 11th Place: Dole Lemonade
Let’s get straight to it—Dole’s incarnation of lemonade hit hard, leaving behind a taste that can only be described as “medicinal” and artificial. One glass and I was done; the rest of the bottle went untouched. **Overly sweet** and syrupy, this one is best avoided if you appreciate a balanced beverage.
#### 10th Place: Carlson Orchards Gourmet Lemonade
Available in many East Coast grocery stores, Carlson’s lemonade is a miss for those seeking a robust flavor. Instead, it felt more like **water with just a splash of lemon**. Lacking tartness, it came across as bland and forgettable.
#### 9th Place: Great Value Original Lemonade
This Walmart house brand, while recognizable, lacks authenticity. With every sip, I was reminded of a taste that was **far too artificial**. A long ingredient list and the absence of real lemon juice resulted in a rather disappointing experience.
#### 8th Place: Santa Cruz Organic Lemonade
Similar in profile to higher-ranked brands, Santa Cruz unfortunately leans towards **watery**, diluting its flavor. While it boasts a delightful lemon aroma, it fails to deliver the tart punch one might crave.
#### 7th Place: Organics Lemonade
This store brand avoids the traps of being overly sweet or sour, but it doesn’t stand out either. What it lacks in excitement, it also unfortunately reflects in its flavor, giving an experience that feels overly basic.
#### 6th Place: Newman’s Own Old Fashioned Roadside Lemonade
Newman’s Own keeps it clean by avoiding high-fructose corn syrup, but the flavor suffers from being **too diluted**. It offers a subtle sweetness but lacks the distinct crispness you’d expect.
#### 5th Place: Tropicana Lemonade
Tropicana employs a classic blend of ingredients, which gives its lemonade a **homemade feel** thanks to the inclusion of pulpy goodness. It hits a sweet spot without being overpowering, although I found it slightly too mellow.
**Fun Fact**: Tropicana won the **Allrecipes Golden Cart Award** for Best New Lemonade in 2025!
#### 4th Place: Del’s Lemonade
With a touch of ascorbic acid, Del’s brings a welcome tartness to the table. While its ingredients resemble other winners, this brand strikes a balance that highlights citrus without being overly sweet.
#### 3rd Place: Florida’s Natural Premium Lemonade
Much to my surprise, Florida’s Natural outshone its usual competition. While I typically overlook their orange juice, their lemonade proved to be a dynamic blend with a crisp, satisfying flavor that quenched without overt sweetness.
#### 2nd Place: Simply Lemonade
Simply Lemonade comprises just a few core ingredients, delivering a mouth-puckering delight reminiscent of homemade batches. It complements a range of meals wonderfully—**a must-have** for your summer cookouts!
#### 1st Place Winner: Natalie’s Natural Lemonade
By using only three simple ingredients—lemon juice, water, and pure cane sugar—Natalie’s achieves the perfect balance. The result? A **refreshing, tangy drink** that had me reaching for more within mere moments. This lemonade beautifully captures the essence of **nostalgic homemade lemonade**, making it a staple for my summer grocery run.
In conclusion, among the 11 brands I sampled, **Natalie’s Natural Lemonade** stands head and shoulders above the rest. So, the next time you’re stocked up for summer, be sure to consider this delightful drink that’s bound to make your hot days even sweeter!
