The Bubbly Ingredient That Will Change Your Cocktails Forever
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And when life gives you lemonade, make a cocktail! Okay, we definitely made that second part up, but it's still applicable. Lemonade is a classic refreshment that has become synonymous with summertime. It produces feelings of childhood nostalgia for many people regardless of their age. When you incorporate the sweet, citrusy beverage into a boozy, sunny eye-opener, it can make pretty much any occasion feel like a celebration.
Lemonade is a star ingredient in a number of beloved alcoholic drinks, like tart and breezy spiked lemonades; pleasant, mellow shandies; the tangy, vodka-infused strawberry berryoska; and the John Daly, an intoxicating spin on the Arnold Palmer. But what about sparkling lemonade, our favorite summertime drink's bubblier cousin? First concocted in Paris in 1630, according to HowStuffWorks, carbonated lemonade has been enjoyed solo as well as in cocktails for an extra dose of happiness in every sip.
Sparkling lemonade adds brightness and effervescence to drinks
Sparkling drinks — water, coffee, and of course, lemonade — are having a moment, and the trend likely won't stop any time soon. Each and every sip is met with a fizzy mouthfeel, much to the pleasure of consumers who desire a hint of excitement in their embellished liquids. Lemonade is certainly no stranger to cocktails, and sparkling lemonade adds an even brighter, more exciting element to mixed drinks.
According to Yummly, some cocktail recipes that call for sparkling lemonade include the radler (sparkling lemonade, wheat beer, and sliced lemons); the cherry basil bubbler (sparkling lemonade, vodka, cherries, and basil); and the masala nimbu soda (sparkling lemonade, mint, cumin, chaat masala, and white rum). There's also Geoffrey Zakarian's recipe for cranberry lemonade punch — a medley of cranberry juice, sparkling lemonade, vodka, and pineapple juice (via Food Network).
Sprecher Brewing Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin makes a line of colorful, flavored sparkling lemonades, which can be incorporated into simple, traditional shandies made by mixing beer with lemonade. According to Sprecher, opt for your favorite beer — whether you prefer ambers, IPAs, wheat ales, or other styles — and play around with different lemonade flavors. If you can't get your hands on premade sparkling lemonade, it's super easy to make your own at home. Just mix plain old lemonade with unflavored or flavored sparkling water. Cheers!