Pickle Lemonade Is the 2-Ingredient Drink of the Summer

It is, without a doubt, the best time ever to be a pickle lover. Pickles now permeate every corner of the snack aisle, from popcorn to beef jerky to candy, and have even spilled over to the drink aisle, where you’ll find briny beers and spritzes aplenty. 

When I first saw a TikTok for homemade pickle lemonade, it took zero convincing to get me on board. Sweet, tangy lemonade amped up with a blast of pickle-y goodness? Sign me up. After trying a few different versions, I came up with my own two-ingredient take on the official thirst quencher of the summer, and it couldn’t be easier to whip up.

What Is Pickle Lemonade?

Pickle lemonade is exactly what it sounds like, though so much tastier than you might be imagining. It’s a simple combination of lemonade and pickle brine. 

While it may sound a little wacky, there are plenty of examples of salty lemonade across the globe. In Vietnamese cuisine, salted lemonade or limeade is called Nước Chanh Muối, and in India, a lemonade drink called Shikanji Nimbu Pani includes salt and other spices. 

There’s actually a good reason for adding salt to lemonade—it balances the sweetness and acidity while improving hydration, similar to a sports beverage with added electrolytes.

My Favorite Lemonade and Pickle Brine

Mixing up a tasty pickle lemonade is all about finding the right balance, which depends on both the lemonade and the pickle brine. For my two-ingredient pickle lemonade, I like to use Simply Lemonade, which I prefer for its simple ingredient list (it also happens to be my kids’ favorite lemonade). 

For the pickle element, Mt. Olive Kosher Dill Pickles  are my idea of the perfect, classic dill pickle, and their brine is full of flavor. I even garnish my drinks with a dill pickle spear for extra pickle power.

Tips for Making Pickle Lemonade

• Use Your Favorite Lemonade: You can use a store-bought lemonade or make your own.
• Use Your Favorite Pickle Brine: I like the slightly sweet tanginess of Mt. Olive Kosher Dills, but Grillo’s and Claussen brine would add a lovely freshness to the lemonade. Make it spicy with spicy pickle brine and a dash of cayenne pepper.
• Freeze It: To make frozen pickle lemonade, combine the pickle lemonade and 2 to 3 cups of ice in a blender and blend until slushy.
• Make It a Cocktail: For a fun boozy version, add a shot of tequila or gin.

How To Make My 2-Ingredient Pickle Lemonade

For two servings, you’ll need:

• 2 cups lemonade
• 2 to 4 tablespoons pickle brine, plus more to taste
• 2 dill pickle spears

Fill two tumblers with ice. In a liquid measuring cup, combine the lemonade and pickle brine. Pour the mixture into each glass until full. Taste and adjust brine levels as needed. Garnish with dill pickle spears. 

Store leftover lemonade in a container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

More Refreshing Summer Drinks