California Lemonade
The California Lemonade is a medium whiskey highball, tart and sweet on the palate. Shaken and served in a highball glass.
- 3 min
- Highball glass
- Shaken
Flavor profile
- Tart
- 75 out of 100
- Sweet
- 41 out of 100
- Fruity
- 25 out of 100
- Smoky
- 20 out of 100
- Boozy
- 27 out of 100
How to make a California Lemonade
To make a California Lemonade, shake with ice and strain into a highball glass: 2 oz blended whiskey, 1½ oz lemon, 1 oz lime, ¾ oz simple syrup, 1 dash grenadine and 3 oz carbonated water.
You'll need
- Blended whiskey2 oz
- Lemon1½ oz
- Lime1 oz
- Simple syrupor 3 tsp sugar + a splash of water¾ oz
- Grenadine1 dash
- Carbonated water3 oz
Pairs well with: Simple syrup, Grenadine · All syrups
Instructions
- 1
Add blended whiskey, lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup and grenadine to a cocktail shaker.
- 2
Fill the shaker with ice.
- 3
Shake hard for 10-15 seconds, until the outside is frosty.
- 4
Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh crushed ice.
- 5
Top with carbonated water.
- 6
Give it one gentle stir.
Why shake? Lemon juice and lime juice need a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
No simple syrup? Muddle 3 tsp sugar with a splash of water in the shaker until it dissolves, then carry on.
California Lemonade questions
What does a California Lemonade taste like, and is it sweet?
Lightly sweet, not sugary: it's mostly tart and sweet. It's a medium drink at about 8% ABV once mixed.
How much alcohol is in a California Lemonade?
About 8% ABV after mixing with ice, about as strong as a glass of wine.
What's the difference between a California Lemonade and an Imperial Fizz?
Both use blended whiskey, lemon, simple syrup and carbonated water. The California Lemonade adds lime and grenadine, while the Imperial Fizz uses light rum.
What can I use instead of grenadine?
Raspberry syrup will work.
How do I make a pitcher of California Lemonades?
For 6 drinks, mix 12 oz blended whiskey, 9 oz lemon, 6 oz lime, 4½ oz simple syrup and ¼ oz grenadine in a jug and chill it. Add 9⅔ oz of cold water to stand in for the dilution from shaking. Top each glass with carbonated water as you serve, so it stays fizzy.
What glass do you serve a California Lemonade in?
A highball glass.