Lemonade: compare the 3 variations

Time, effort, key ingredients, diets, nutrition and cleanup side by side, so you can pick the one that fits tonight.

Which should I make?

  • Kid helper RaspberryA child can do 5 of the 8 steps: no knife, no heat.
  • Least cleanup Classic3 things to wash: saucepan, pitcher, strainer.
  • Make it ahead ClassicMake the syrup and squeeze the juice a day ahead.

Side by side

RaspberryClassicStrawberry
Total time45 min50 min55 min
Prep15 min15 min20 min
LevelEasyEasyEasy
Steps856
Servesabout 2 quartsabout 2 quartsabout 2 1/2 quarts
Key ingredientsgranulated sugar, raspberries and lemon juicegranulated sugar, fresh lemon juice and ice and lemon slicesgranulated sugar, strawberries and fresh lemon juice
Only in this oneraspberriesice and lemon slicesstrawberries
DietaryVegetarianVeganGluten-FreeDairy-FreeVegetarianVeganGluten-FreeDairy-FreeVegetarianVeganGluten-FreeDairy-Free
Calories120100120
Protein0 g0 g0 g
Carbs30 g27 g31 g
Fat0 g0 g0 g
Cleanup2/5 4 things to wash3/5 3 things to wash2/5 4 things to wash
Kid helperYes, 5 of 8 stepsYes, 2 of 5 stepsYes, 3 of 6 steps

Nutrition is per serving. Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Dietary: Based on the ingredient list and estimated nutrition; check labels; not medical advice. Cleanup score: 5 means one thing to wash, 1 means six or more. We count pots, pans, bowls and appliances, not the knife, board and spoons.

How we pick

  • Fastest: the shortest total time, at least 10 minutes ahead of the next.
  • Easiest: the lowest level (easy, medium, hard), then at least 2 fewer steps.
  • Lightest: the fewest estimated calories a serving, at least 15% and 40 calories under the next (only when two or more have an estimate).
  • Kid helper: the variation where a child can do the biggest share of the steps (no knife, no heat), when that's not all of them equally.
  • Least cleanup: the best cleanup score, a point ahead of the next.
  • Make it ahead: the only variation whose notes say how to make it ahead.
  • Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free: the variation that fits a diet the others don't, from the ingredient lines.

A pick needs a clear winner; close calls are left out.

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