Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade

Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade! This fresh lemonade recipe gets a flavor upgrade with the addition of real vanilla bean and fragrant rosemary. A perfect sipper for showers, parties and summertime porch sittin'!

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There's no denying that a tall, cold glass of lemonade is pure heaven on a hot summer day!

The good news is that fresh, homemade lemonade is extremely easy to make (especially if you have an electric citrus juicer or juicing attachment for your stand mixer!), and the even better news is that there are so many delicious variations that can be made with a few small tweaks!

This Vanilla Rosemary Lemonade is a particularly delightful twist that will have company saying, "Mmm... what is in this?"

Rosemary simple syrup and real vanilla bean combine beautifully with tart, fresh lemon juice and lend a sweet, herbal hint that makes it extra refreshing.

Looking for more delicious drinks to cool down with? Check out my Coconut Key Lime Pie Coolers, Strawberry-Thyme Lemonade or Sparkling Mint Limeade.

Ingredients

• Sugar
• Vanilla bean (or vanilla extract)
• Fresh rosemary
• Water
• Fresh lemon juice (or thawed frozen lemon juice)
• Sparkling water (optional)

Instructions

Make Rosemary Simple Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, split vanilla bean, rosemary sprigs, and water.

Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for approximately 1 minute.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the vanilla bean and rosemary sprigs to steep in the simple syrup until it cools slightly, which usually takes about 10 minutes.

Once the syrup has cooled a bit, pour it along with the lemon juice into a large pitcher, using a fine mesh sieve to strain out the solids. Discard the solids.

Mix the lemon juice and syrup thoroughly in the pitcher.

Cover the pitcher and refrigerate it for at least 3 hours until chilled. When ready to serve, stir the mixture and pour it over ice.

For a bubbly touch, add a splash of sparkling water.

If desired, garnish the drink with lemon slices and additional rosemary sprigs.

Recipe FAQ's

Variations & Substitutions

Try these variations!

• Lavender Lemonade: Substitute the rosemary with dried culinary lavender buds for a floral twist. Steep the lavender along with the vanilla bean in the simple syrup, then strain before mixing with lemon juice.
• Ginger-Lemon Sparkler: Infuse the simple syrup with fresh ginger slices along with the vanilla bean for a zesty kick. Strain the ginger before mixing the syrup with lemon juice. Serve over ice with a splash of sparkling water.
• Orange-Rosemary Spritzer: Use orange juice instead of lemon juice and keep the rosemary for a citrusy blend with a hint of piney aroma. Steep the rosemary along with the vanilla bean in the simple syrup, then strain before mixing with orange juice. Serve over ice with a splash of sparkling water.

Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade

The Kitchen Prep

Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade! This fresh lemonade recipe gets a flavor upgrade with the addition of real vanilla bean and fragrant rosemary. A perfect sipper for showers, parties and summertime porch sittin’!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 3 hours hrs

Cook Time 27 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 27 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 3 cups

Ingredients

  

• 1 cups sugar
• 1 vanilla bean split
• 2 springs sprigs fresh rosemary
• 3 cups water
• 1 cups fresh lemon juice or thawed frozen lemon juice
• sparkling water optional

Instructions

 

• In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, vanilla bean, rosemary and water. Bring to a boil. Boil for about 1 minute.
• Remove from heat and steep the vanilla bean and rosemary sprigs in the simple syrup until slightly cooled, about 10 minutes.
• In a large pitcher, pour lemon juice and syrup mixture, straining with a fine mesh sieve. Discard solids. Mix well.
• Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until cold.
• To serve, stir and pour over ice. For an effervescent touch, add a splash of sparkling water. Garnish with lemon and rosemary sprigs if desired.

Notes

This recipe was barely adapted from Southern Living.