Pickle Lemonade

By Kasia Pilat

Updated June 12, 2025

  • Joel Goldberg for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Hadas Smirnoff.
Media 1 of 2
Total Time
20 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Rating
5(511)
Comments
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The tart, tangy flavor of pickles can be found across the food spectrum — from pickle-brined chicken to pickle soup and even pickle brine margaritas, it seems nearly everything is better with brine. It’s no surprise, then, that simple lemonade is improved with the addition of salty pickle brine, too. Balancing out the sweetness of lemonade’s sugar, it lifts the drink and makes it a bit more complex, with an unexpected yet familiar flavor profile. You might not immediately guess the secret ingredient, but it’s a pleasant surprise once revealed. Depending on what brand of pickles is used, adjust the flavors and add more pickle brine as you like; the level of lip-smacking tartness is up to you.

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Ingredients

Yield:About 5 cups (8 to 10 servings)

  • 7 large organic lemons (see Tip), at room temperature

  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar

  • 3 cups chilled, filtered water

  • 1 to 1 ¼ cups dill pickle juice (see Tip), plus pickle spears for garnish

  • Ice, for serving 

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 to 10 servings)

21 grams carbs; 75 calories; 2 grams fiber; 144 milligrams sodium; 1 gram protein; 15 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Thinly slice 1 lemon, discard the seeds, and set aside for garnish. Roll the remaining lemons firmly against your counter top before juicing them in order to extract as much juice as possible. Quarter the lemons, then squeeze enough of the lemons into a measuring cup to get 1 cup of lemon juice. (A citrus juicer may be helpful here, if you’ve got one.) Add the squeezed lemon peels and any unsqueezed lemon pieces to a large jar, such as an 8-cup Mason jar, a wide pitcher or even a large bowl.

  2. Step 2

    Add the sugar to the lemon peel pieces in the jar and, using a wooden spoon or a muddler, muddle together until the sugar has mostly dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Add the lemon juice to the jar, cover and shake vigorously (or stir, if your vessel doesn’t have a lid) to ensure the sugar has fully dissolved. Add the water, then add pickle juice to taste. Shake or stir to mix; then strain using a fine-mesh strainer. (To store, refrigerate up to 3 days.)

  4. Step 4

    To serve, pour into glasses over plenty of ice. Garnish with a lemon slice and a pickle spear.

Tips

  • Because conventional lemons are often sprayed with pesticides, this recipe calls for organic lemons. If using conventional lemons, be sure to wash the fruit thoroughly. The size and juiciness of lemons can vary; save any leftover lemon for another use.

  • When choosing pickles for this recipe, look for refrigerated dill-flavored ones like Grillo’s, for brighter flavors. Sweet bread and butter pickles, or other pickles that use too much garlic or other seasonings, might overpower the balance of acidity (lemon), sweetness (sugar) and saltiness (pickle brine). Depending on your pickle choice, you may need to adjust the sugar and lemon ratios.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
511 user ratings
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Comments

Dan

I gotta believe a drop of gin couldn't hurt.

Bronwyn

I was thinking vodka :-)

Ivan

Hehe, when I read the ingredients list my first thought was "where's the gin?"

PMK

The most refreshing lemonade! This is a thirst quencher, and especially wonderful if lemonade is too sweet for you (as it is for me)!

Dave

This is incredibly refreshing! Sweet, sour and salty! I used Meyer lemons and pickle brine from my spicy homemade pickles, it added a bit of heat. I will definitely be making this all summer!

potter who pots

I did not like this at all. I don’t drink so I don’t know if it would be better with alcohol, but I imagine it would be. As is, I found it nauseating. I took it to a party and it was not liked by anybody! Agree with another reviewer that it reminded me of colonoscopy prep lol

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Credits

By Kasia Pilat

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