The kitchen smelled like summer the first time Amelia saw me making this. She'd been outside chasing butterflies, her cheeks pink from the sun, and she burst through the screen door asking what that sweet, tangy smell was. I was whipping the cream with lemonade powder, and honestly, I almost added too much at first. The bowl looked like a cloud had turned pink. "Mama, is that ice cream?" she asked, bouncing on her toes. "Even better," I told her. "It's lemonade you can eat AND drink."
That's exactly what Whipped Pink Lemonade is. It's the kind of treat that makes you forget how hot it is outside, the kind that turns an ordinary afternoon into something special. Just five ingredients and about ten minutes, and you've got this creamy, tangy, totally refreshing drink that feels like a cross between a float and your favorite summer cooler.
What Makes This Whipped Pink Lemonade So Special
There's something almost magical about whipping heavy cream with Whipped Pink Lemonade mix. The powder sweetens and flavors the cream while it thickens, creating this fluffy, cloud-like topping that tastes like the best parts of a creamsicle and a glass of fresh lemonade. You're not just drinking something cold. You're getting layers of flavor with every sip.
This homemade whipped pink lemonade is perfect for lazy summer afternoons, backyard barbecues, or those moments when you just need something cold and delicious without spending an hour in the kitchen. Kids absolutely love it because it feels like dessert. Adults love it because it's light, not too sweet, and incredibly easy to customize.
If you're looking for more fun drink ideas, you might also enjoy this Delicious Black Manhattan Recipe for a more sophisticated twist, or try these Best Sour Patch Jello Shots for your next party.
Jump to:
- What Makes This Whipped Pink Lemonade So Special
- Whipped Pink Lemonade Ingredients
- How to Make Whipped Pink Lemonade
- Whipped Pink Lemonade Substitutions
- Equipment For Whipped Pink Lemonade
- Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Making It Kid-Approved
- Top Tip
- Why You'll Love This Creamy Whipped Pink Lemonade
- FAQ
- Make It Your Own
- Related
- Pairing
- Whipped Pink Lemonade
Whipped Pink Lemonade Ingredients
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
Here's what you need for this easy lemonade with whipped cream:
- Ice - as much as you like, but about two-thirds full works perfectly
- Pink lemonade mix (such as Country Time) - for the whipped topping
- Heavy whipping cream - this is what makes it fluffy and rich
- Tablespoons pink lemonade mix - for the actual lemonade base (1 tablespoon per glass)
- Water - divided between the two glasses
How to Make Whipped Pink Lemonade
This whipped pink lemonade recipe comes together faster than you'd think. Here's how:
Make the whipped topping. In a mixing bowl, combine ¼ cup of pink lemonade mix with the heavy whipping cream. Use an electric mixer on high speed and whip until the cream thickens and stiff peaks form. This takes about three to four minutes. You'll know it's ready when you lift the beaters and the cream holds its shape.
Prepare your glasses. Take two glasses and add 1 tablespoon of pink lemonade mix to each one.
Add the water. Pour ¾ cup of water into each glass. Give it a good stir until the lemonade mix dissolves completely. The liquid should be a pretty pale pink.
Fill with ice. Add ice to each glass until it's about two-thirds full. Don't skimp here - the ice keeps everything cold and refreshing.
Top with whipped cream. Spoon or pipe the pink lemonade whipped cream generously on top of each glass. It should sit there like a fluffy pink cloud.
Stir and enjoy. Before drinking, stir the whipped cream into the lemonade. This is where the magic happens. The cream melts into the cold lemonade, creating this dreamy, creamy texture with every sip.
The first time I made this, I forgot to stir mine at first and just took a sip. I got a mouthful of pure whipped cream, which wasn't terrible, but definitely not what I was going for. Now I always give mine a good stir and tell everyone else to do the same.
Whipped Pink Lemonade Substitutions
Want to make this refreshing lemonade drink work with what you have? Here are some easy swaps:
Regular lemonade mix instead of pink. The pink is mostly for looks. Regular lemonade works just as well and tastes almost identical. You can even try strawberry lemonade mix for a fruitier version.
Coconut cream for dairy-free. Use full-fat canned coconut cream (the thick part) instead of heavy whipping cream. Chill the can overnight first, then whip it the same way. It won't be quite as fluffy, but it's still delicious.
Sparkling water instead of regular. Swap the regular water for sparkling water or club soda for a fizzy version. This creates a creamy citrus drink with bubbles.
Fresh lemon juice. If you want to skip the mix altogether, use fresh lemon juice with a bit of sugar. You'll need about 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of sugar per glass. Whip the cream with 2 tablespoons of sugar instead of lemonade mix.
Equipment For Whipped Pink Lemonade
You don't need anything fancy for this simple whipped lemonade recipe:
- Electric mixer or whisk - A hand mixer works great, but you can whisk by hand if you've got the arm strength. It just takes a bit longer.
- Mixing bowl - Any medium-sized bowl will do.
- 2 glasses - Tall glasses work best so you have room for all that fluffy cream.
- Spoon for stirring - Nothing special, just something to mix the drink with.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Here's the thing about this tangy creamy lemonade - it's really best fresh. The whipped cream stays fluffy for about an hour, maybe two if you're lucky, but after that it starts to lose its magic and can get a little watery.
If you want to prep ahead, you can whip the cream and keep it in the fridge for up to four hours. Just give it a quick stir before using. The lemonade base (the mix and water) can be made ahead and kept cold. Just add ice and whipped cream right before serving.
Leftover whipped cream is pretty great on its own, by the way. Amelia discovered it makes an excellent topping for fresh strawberries or even just eaten with a spoon when no one's looking.
Making It Kid-Approved
Amelia's already a fan, but here are ways to make this whipped summer drink even more kid-friendly:
Add a splash of grenadine for extra sweetness and a deeper pink color. Let them add their own toppings like rainbow sprinkles, mini marshmallows, or fresh strawberries. You can also freeze some of the lemonade in ice cube trays and use pink lemonade ice cubes instead of regular ice. The drink stays cold without getting watered down, and kids think it's the coolest thing ever.
For a fun presentation, serve it in clear cups so they can see all the pretty pink layers before stirring. You could even give them their own straw and a long spoon for mixing.
If you're planning a kids' party, check out these Delicious Holiday Mule Cocktails for inspiration on festive drink presentations.
Top Tip
Want to know what makes this recipe even better? Make it with someone you love. I know that sounds cheesy, but the first time Amelia helped me make this, she got pink lemonade powder all over the counter, in her hair, and somehow on the ceiling (still not sure how). We laughed so hard we could barely finish.
Now every time we make this chilled pink lemonade, she reminds me of the Great Lemonade Explosion. And honestly, that's what makes this recipe special. It's not just about the taste. It's about those summer moments, sticky fingers, and the way her face lights up when she takes that first cold, creamy sip.
Why You'll Love This Creamy Whipped Pink Lemonade
Let me tell you what makes this drink a winner in our house. First, it's ready in about nine minutes. That's faster than driving to get coffee. Second, the whipped cream mixed with lemonade powder creates this incredible texture that's both fluffy and tangy. It's like eating a cloud that tastes like summer.
The creamy lemonade recipe also hits that sweet spot between dessert and drink. You can serve it as an after-dinner treat or as an afternoon pick-me-up. Amelia likes hers stirred together right away so it gets all swirly and pink. I like to take my time, getting a little whipped cream with each sip.
It's also wonderfully flexible. You can make it sweeter, tangier, or even add fresh berries on top. The base recipe is so simple that it practically invites you to play around with it.
FAQ
How to make Whipped Pink Lemonade at home?
Making Whipped pink lemonade from scratch is easy. Mix fresh lemon juice with water and sugar, then add a splash of cranberry juice or grenadine for the pink color. For this recipe, though, using pink lemonade mix is faster and gives you that classic sweet-tart flavor everyone loves.
What is in Whipped Pink Lemonade?
Whipped lemonade is made by whipping heavy cream with lemonade mix or sugar until it's fluffy and thick. Then you pour it over cold lemonade and ice. When you stir it all together, you get this creamy, dreamy drink that's part beverage and part dessert. It's lighter than a milkshake but richer than regular lemonade.
What are the ingredients in Whipped Pink Lemonade mix?
Most Whipped pink lemonade mixes contain sugar, citric acid for tartness, natural and artificial flavors, and food coloring to give it that pretty pink shade. Some brands also include vitamin C. The mix is basically dehydrated lemonade that you reconstitute with water.
How do you make Whipped Pink Lemonade mocktail?
This whipped pink lemonade is already a mocktail. Just follow the recipe as written. If you want to fancy it up, add fresh fruit, use sparkling water instead of regular, or rim the glass with colored sugar. You could also layer it with fruit puree at the bottom of the glass for a prettier presentation.
Make It Your Own
Once you've mastered the basic recipe, try these variations:
Mix in fresh berries before whipping the cream for a whipped raspberry lemonade version. Add a tiny drop of vanilla extract to the cream for extra depth. Use different lemonade flavors like strawberry or mango. Or go tropical with a splash of coconut extract in the whipped cream.
You could even make it boozy for adults by adding a shot of vodka or limoncello to the lemonade base before adding ice.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Whipped Pink Lemonade
Whipped Pink Lemonade
Equipment
- 1 Electric mixer or whisk A hand mixer works great, but you can whisk by hand if you've got the arm strength. It just takes a bit longer.
- 1 Mixing bowl Any medium-sized bowl will do.
- 2 Glasses Tall glasses work best so you have room for all that fluffy cream.
- 1 Spoon for stirring Nothing special, just something to mix the drink with.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup pink lemonade mix Use your preferred brand, such as Country Time
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream For whipping to a thick consistency
- 2 tablespoons pink lemonade mix Adds extra flavor to the drink
- 1 ½ cups water For mixing with the lemonade mix
- Ice To chill the drink and add texture
Instructions
-
Whisk together the pink lemonade mix and heavy whipping cream on high speed until the cream thickens and stiff peaks form.
-
Place two glasses on the counter. Add 1 tablespoon of pink lemonade mix to each glass, then pour in ¾ cup of water in each. Stir to combine.
- Fill each glass with ice until they’re about two-thirds full.
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Top each glass with the whipped pink lemonade cream.
- Stir the whipped cream into the lemonade before drinking.
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