Chestnut Free Vegan Bright Lemonade with Lime Zest
Tart, bright, and impossibly refreshing, this citrus drink is the kind of thing you'll want to make on repeat all summer long. The secret is a quick lime zest–infused agave syrup that steeps right on the stovetop, layering in a floral, aromatic depth that plain sugar water simply can't match. Fresh-squeezed lemon juice does the heavy lifting, giving you that bold, lip-puckering tartness that bottled lemonade always promises but never delivers. Because the whole recipe is built from whole, simple ingredients — agave, citrus, and water — there's nothing hidden to worry about, making it a genuinely clean and crowd-pleasing pour. You can dial the tartness up or down to taste, which means it works just as well for kids as it does for adults who like things on the punchier side. Serve it over a big glass of ice with a citrus wheel and it looks like something straight off a restaurant 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 simple syrup
- ½ cup agave syrup
- ½ cup water
- 1 tbsp lime zest (from about 2 limes), finely grated
For the lemonade
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 6–7 lemons)
- 3 cups cold water
For serving
- ice, for serving
- lemon or lime slices, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the agave syrup, 1/2 cup water, and lime zest in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the agave is fully dissolved, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and let the syrup steep for 15 minutes so the lime zest infuses fully.
- 2
Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher, pressing the zest lightly to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!