Sesame Free Orange Cinnamon Lemonade
Bright, citrusy, and just a little unexpected, this blended drink is the kind of thing you'll want to make on repeat all summer long. Fresh lemon and orange juice come together with a homemade cinnamon-maple syrup that adds warmth and depth without any refined sugar or store-bought shortcuts. The blender step is what makes it special — crushing the ice right in transforms everything into a slushy, frothy pour that feels way more elevated than your average lemonade. Sesame hides in a surprising number of packaged beverages and flavored syrups, so making your own syrup from scratch with just maple syrup, water, and cinnamon sticks keeps things completely clean and worry-free. Straining the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve gives you that smooth, polished texture without any pulp or ice shards getting in the way. Serve it over fresh ice with a citrus slice on the rim and it looks like something straight off a café menu.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the cinnamon-maple syrup
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
For the lemonade
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 6–7 lemons)
- 1 cup fresh orange juice (from about 3 medium oranges)
- 2 cups cold water
- 2 cups ice cubes
For serving
- lemon or orange slices, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the maple syrup, 1/2 cup water, and cinnamon sticks in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the syrup is fully dissolved. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes, until the mixture is fragrant and lightly infused with cinnamon. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool for 15 minutes, then discard the cinnamon sticks.
- 2
Add the cooled cinnamon-maple syrup, lemon juice, orange juice, cold water, and ice cubes to a blender. Blend on high for 20–30 seconds, until the ice is fully crushed and the drink is uniformly slushy and frothy.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!