Citric Acid Free Cranberry Orange Lemonade
Bright, fruity, and fizzy, this sparkling drink delivers everything you love about a classic lemonade without relying on any processed citric acid additives. The tartness here comes entirely from freshly squeezed lemons and oranges, while unsweetened pure cranberry juice adds a deep, jewel-toned color and a pleasantly tart edge that makes every sip feel a little fancy. A quick maple simple syrup brings it all together with gentle sweetness that feels far more interesting than plain sugar. For anyone navigating citric acid sensitivities, store-bought lemonades and fruit punches are almost always off the table due to added citric acid used as a preservative — so having a from-scratch version like this is genuinely exciting. The sparkling water gives it that celebratory effervescence, and the whole thing comes together in one pitcher with minimal fuss. Garnish with fresh mint and lemon slices and it looks like something you'd pay too much for at a brunch spot.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the maple simple syrup
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup water
For the lemonade
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 5–6 lemons)
- ½ cup unsweetened pure cranberry juice (not cocktail)
- ½ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 medium oranges)
- 3 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 2 cups ice cubes
For serving
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the maple syrup and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the syrup is fully dissolved, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 15 minutes until no longer warm to the touch.
- 2
Juice the lemons and oranges through a citrus juicer, then strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher to remove seeds and pulp.
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