Single-serving lemonade is a three-minute glass of exactly what you want when the craving strikes — fresh lemon juice, a quick erythritol syrup, and cold water over ice. No pitcher, no leftovers, no sugar. Roll the lemon on the counter first and you'll get every last drop.
Is there anything more refreshing than a tall, icy glass of lemonade on a sweltering summer afternoon? That perfect balance of tart and sweet is pure bliss. While big pitchers are great for parties, sometimes you just need one perfect glass, right now. This single-serving lemonade recipe is my go-to for an instant sunshine boost. It’s incredibly simple, ready in minutes, and easily scalable if company drops by!
Ingredients
• ¼ cup / 60 ml hot water
• 1 tbsp / 12g (0.42 oz) granular erythritol (or sugar)
• ¼ cup / 60 ml (2 fl oz) fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
• ¾ cup / 180 ml (6.1 fl oz) cold water
• Ice cubes and a lemon slice, for serving
Instructions
1. In a tall glass (at least 16 oz / 475 ml), combine the hot water and erythritol. Stir vigorously until the sweetener has completely dissolved, creating a simple syrup.
2. Pour in the fresh lemon juice and cold water, stirring to combine everything.
3. Fill the glass to the top with ice cubes, garnish with a fresh lemon slice, and serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
• Nutrition Information
• Serving: 1 glass | Calories: 5 kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g (0.04 oz) | Protein: 0.1g (0 oz) | Fat: 0.1g (0 oz) | Sodium: 1mg | Sugar: 0.5g (0.02 oz) (natural from lemon)
Pro Tips
• Roll the lemon firmly on the counter before juicing to release more liquid.
• For a different flavor profile, muddle a few fresh mint leaves or basil in the bottom of the glass before adding the hot water.
• Make a larger batch of the erythritol simple syrup (1:1 ratio of hot water to erythritol) and store it in the fridge for even faster lemonade assembly.
• For a sparkling lemonade, substitute the cold water with chilled club soda or sparkling water.
FAQ
Q: Can I use regular sugar instead of erythritol
A: Absolutely. You can substitute the erythritol with an equal amount of regular granulated sugar. Simply dissolve 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) of sugar in the hot water as directed in step one.
Q: Why do I need to use hot water
A: Using hot water is the key to completely dissolving the granular sweetener (either erythritol or sugar). This creates a smooth simple syrup, ensuring your lemonade isn’t gritty and the sweetness is perfectly mixed in.
Q: How can I make this a sparkling lemonade
A: For a fizzy twist, simply replace the ¾ cup of cold water with the same amount of chilled club soda, seltzer, or sparkling water. Add it after you’ve mixed the simple syrup and lemon juice.
Q: Can I make a bigger batch of this lemonade
A: Yes, this recipe is very easy to scale up. To make a pitcher for four people, for example, just multiply all the ingredients by four: 1 cup (240 ml) hot water, 4 tbsp erythritol, 1 cup (240 ml) lemon juice, and 3 cups (720 ml) cold water.
Pro Tips
- Stir the hot water and erythritol vigorously first to build a quick simple syrup — dissolving the sweetener in hot water is the only way to avoid a gritty drink.
- Roll the lemon firmly on the counter before juicing to release more liquid from the flesh.
- For sparkling lemonade, substitute the cold water with chilled club soda or sparkling water.
- Muddle a few fresh mint or basil leaves in the bottom of the glass before the hot water goes in for a different flavor profile.
- Make a larger batch of the 1:1 erythritol simple syrup and store it in the fridge — lemonade assembly becomes even faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lemonade keto?
This single-serving version is — one glass has 5 calories and 1 g of carbs, sweetened with granular erythritol (or your favorite keto sweetener) instead of sugar.
Can I make lemonade ahead of time?
Make the erythritol simple syrup ahead and keep it in the fridge — then a fresh glass is only a 3-minute pour whenever you want one.
Can I make it sparkling?
Yes — replace the ¾ cup of cold water with chilled club soda or sparkling water right before serving.
How much juice does one lemon give?
About ¼ cup / 60 ml of fresh juice, which is exactly what this single-serving recipe calls for — from one large lemon.
Recipe card below.
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Single-Serving Lemonade
Ingredients
Method
- In a tall glass (at least 16 oz / 475 ml), combine the hot water and erythritol.
- Stir vigorously until the sweetener has completely dissolved, creating a simple syrup.
- Pour in the fresh lemon juice and cold water, stirring to combine everything.
- Fill the glass to the top with ice cubes, garnish with a fresh lemon slice, and serve immediately.
- Roll the lemon firmly on the counter before juicing to release more liquid.
