Turkish-Style Mint Lemonade

Bright, cold and sharply refreshing, Turkish-style mint lemonade takes the familiar sweet-tart structure of fresh lemonade and gives it a fragrant lift with mint. The drink is blended rather than steeped, so the mint releases colour and aroma quickly, then is strained for a cleaner, smoother finish. Lemon juice keeps it brisk, caster sugar softens the acidity, and very cold water brings it to an easy drinking strength. Served over plenty of ice, it suits hot afternoons, casual meals and make-ahead entertaining, with the option to adjust the dilution just before serving.
Recipe by JustRecipes Editorial Team
Content validated: August 2026 How we create recipes
Made this recipe? Rate it
Cuisine style Turkish-style refreshment
Flavor profile Fresh mint • Bright lemon • Sweet-tart
Techniques Blending • Straining
Cooking style No-cook preparation • Minimal cleanup • Make-ahead friendly
Time commitment Under 15 minutes

Why this recipe works

  • Fast to make: Blending helps dissolve the sugar and releases the mint flavour quickly, keeping the whole drink ready in about 10 minutes.
  • Clean, cooling flavour: Fresh lemon juice gives sharpness while mint adds a cool herbal note, making the lemonade bright without feeling heavy.
  • Easy balance: Caster sugar softens the lemon’s acidity, and the final dilution can be adjusted to make the drink lighter or more intense.

Get the most out of this recipe

Ingredient notes

  • Choose juicy lemons: Firm, heavy lemons usually give the best balance of juice and acidity for a bright-tasting lemonade.
  • Use fresh mint: Fresh mint is essential here; dried mint will taste dusty and will not give the same clean green finish.
  • Adjust after dilution: Taste once the remaining cold water has been stirred in, then lighten with a splash more water if the lemonade tastes too strong.

Common mistakes

  • Blending the mint too long: Keep the mint blending brief. Over-blending can make the drink taste grassy and turn the colour murky.
  • Forcing too much mint through: Press the sieve gently rather than pushing hard, which can drive fine mint particles into the lemonade.
  • Adding ice too early: If making it ahead, chill the strained lemonade first and add ice only when serving to avoid dilution.

Make-ahead tips

  • Strain before chilling: The lemonade can be strained and kept in a sealed jug in the fridge, then stirred before serving.
  • Serve very cold: Chill the jug well and pour over fresh ice at the last moment for the brightest flavour.
  • Best on the day: Although it keeps for up to 2 days, the mint flavour is cleanest and freshest on the day it is made.

Serving ideas

  • Fresh garnish: Finish each glass with a small mint sprig or a thin lemon slice for a simple, fresh presentation.
  • Serve with savoury food: Its sweet-tart citrus flavour works especially well alongside grilled dishes, salads, mezze and salty snacks.
  • Use tall glasses: Tall glasses with plenty of ice show off the pale green colour and keep the drink cold for longer.

Equipment you'll need

Blender Citrus juicer Measuring cups Sieve / strainer
Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Put the caster sugar in a blender with about 250 ml of the water. Blend for 20 to 30 seconds until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
  2. Add the mint and squeeze in the juice from the lemons. Blend for 10 to 15 seconds, just until the mint is finely broken up and the drink turns pale green.
  3. Set a sieve over a jug and strain the lemonade, pressing gently to extract the liquid without forcing too much mint through. Stir in the remaining water, then taste and adjust by adding a splash more water if you prefer it lighter.
  4. Divide the ice cubes between 4 glasses and pour over the mint lemonade. Serve straight away while well chilled.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Blend the mint briefly; over-blending can make the drink taste grassy and look murky.
  • For the cleanest finish, strain twice through the sieve and let it drip through rather than pushing hard.
  • If serving later, chill the strained lemonade first and add the ice at the last moment to avoid dilution.

Substitutions

  • Replace caster sugar with granulated sugar; blend a little longer to help it dissolve fully.
  • Replace lemon with lime for a sharper, more aromatic citrus profile.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Store strained lemonade in a sealed jug in the fridge. Stir before serving, as the mint oils can separate slightly; add fresh ice cubes when serving.

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Turkish-Style Mint Lemonade
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 glasses
  • Total time: 10min (10min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Turkish
Beginner friendly Kid friendly
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Equipment you'll need

Blender Citrus juicer Measuring cups Sieve / strainer

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Caster sugar

1 cup ≈ 200 g
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Water

1 cup ≈ 240 ml
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