This American Lemonade recipe is a striking two-layer cocktail where lemon’s tartness meets the fruity aroma of red wine for a refreshing, easy-drinking sip. Low in alcohol and approachable, it’s a great pick for anyone new to cocktails, or for those who prefer something lighter.
Recipe
Ingredients
Recipe no.020
- Lemon juice — 1 oz (30ml)
- Simple syrup — 1/2 oz (15ml)
- Mineral water — 3 oz (90ml)
- Red wine — 1 1/3 oz (40ml)
- Lemon slice + muddler/stirrer
- Note: “Full” means filling the glass to about 80–90% capacity.
Instructions
Fill the glass with ice, then add the lemon juice, simple syrup, and mineral water. Stir well.
Leave a little extra room in the glass — the red wine goes in next.
Rest the back of a bar spoon against the rim of the glass, spoon facing up, and slowly pour the red wine over the back of the spoon so it floats gently on top.
Slide a stirrer down into the glass, garnish with a lemon slice, and it’s ready to serve.
- Technique ｜ Stir & Float
- Glass ｜ Wine glass / Collins glass
- Style ｜ Ade
- ABV ｜ Roughly 3%
- Best enjoyed ｜ Daytime / Before dinner
Characteristics of American Lemonade, with Video
Flavor & Character
That fizzy soda you find in Japan called ramune has a surprising ancestor: lemonade, reportedly served to shogunate officials during Commodore Perry’s 1853 arrival. That’s one documented theory, not the only one but credible, and it’s strange to trace a soda back to a moment usually remembered for gunboats, not refreshments. After World War II, simple lemonade of just lemon juice and syrup found fresh popularity nationwide.
This cocktail takes that classic lemonade and adds red wine, but rather than stirring everything together, the lemon layer and wine layer stay visually distinct — genuine Ade-style presentation, not decoration.
The first sip brings a crisp, bright hit from the lemonade layer underneath, and as the wine mingles in, the drink shifts into something rounder and more fruit-forward. With no carbonation, it goes down smooth, working equally well before a meal or as an after-dinner sip. I’d call the color-blending as much a visual show as a flavor journey.
Points, Twists & Food Pairings
- Best Pairings・・・Pair with mild cheese, prosciutto-melon, or fruit tart — sweet bites match the wine.
- Mixing Tip・・・Chill the glass first, then pour wine slowly over a spoon’s back for a clean layer.
- Easy Twist・・・Swap red wine for rosé, or muddle a few berries in for a fruitier, summer-ready twist.
- Drinking Note・・・Stir gently before sipping to blend the layers — it’s low-ABV but easy to drink fast.
Recipe Videos
- Recipe Videos ｜ Bartender Hiroshi Arai Channel Home
American Lemonade Recipe: An Easy 4-Ingredient Wine Cocktail
A refreshing two-layer cocktail combining tart lemonade with the fruity aroma of red wine — low in alcohol and easy to make at home.
タイプ: Cocktail
料理: American
キーワード: American lemonade, red wine cocktail, layered cocktail, ade style cocktail
レシピー歩留まり: 1 drink
準備時間: PT5M
所要時間: PT5M
レシピー材料:
- Lemon juice - 1 oz (30ml)
- Simple syrup - 1/2 oz (15ml)
- Mineral water - 3 oz (90ml)
- Red wine - 1 1/3 oz (40ml)
- Lemon slice, for garnish
レシピーの説明:
Combine the base:
- Fill the glass with ice, then add the lemon juice, simple syrup, and mineral water. Stir well, leaving a little extra room for the red wine.
Float the wine:
- Rest the back of a bar spoon against the rim of the glass and slowly pour the red wine over it so it floats gently on top.
Finish:
- Slide a stirrer into the glass, garnish with a lemon slice, and serve.
