What Is Pink Lemonade—And What Flavor Is It Supposed to Be?

No, pink lemons aren’t involved (but they do exist).

What’s better than an icy glass of lemonade on a hot summer’s day? Pink lemonade, of course. Something about a change of color makes the drink all the sweeter. But what, exactly, is pink lemonade—and what makes it pink? Here’s what you need to know:

What Is Pink Lemonade?

Pink lemonade is exactly what it sounds like: regular ol’ lemonade that is tinted pink instead of yellow. Though pink lemons do actually exist (they’re called Eureka lemons and they’re beautiful), they’re not responsible for the drink’s signature rosy hue.

What Makes Pink Lemonade Pink?

The pink color comes from added fruit juices, flavors, or food dyes. Common additions are cranberry juice, grape juice, grenadine, fruit syrups, crushed fruits (such as raspberries or strawberries), or plain red or pink food coloring.

What Flavor Is Pink Lemonade?

The flavor of pink lemonade is usually overwhelmingly lemon. Most pink lemonades, whether store-bought or homemade, don’t taste too different from their yellow counterparts. In fact, if they’re made with food dyes, they taste exactly like regular lemonade.

Of course, if juices or syrups are used, they’ll certainly add a hint of fruity flavor. The more juice you add, the more the flavor will be altered—-and the richer the color will be.

Pink Lemonade History

Pink lemonade, as it turns out, was likely created by accident:

A 1912 New York Times obituary credits the invention of pink lemonade to a circus worker named Henry E. Allott, a.k.a. “Bunk Allen.” According to the obituary, Allott accidentally dropped red-coated cinnamon candies into a tub of lemonade.

The obituary really deserves to be read in in its entirety:

“Henry E. Allott, known all through the Middle West as 'Bunk' Allen, member of the old Chicago gambling syndicate, saloonkeeper, theatrical promoter, circus man, and inventor of pink lemonade, died here today. At 15 he ran away with a circus and obtained the lemonade concession.

The death of Henry E. Allott will be mourned by boys of the older generation. For he was the circus man whose red-coated cinnamon candies, dropped in a tub of lemonade, thereafter made the pink beverage popular wherever the traveling animals and chariots, the steam calliope, the band, the horseback ladies, and funny clowns driving donkey wagons would draw up in front of the big tent after the parade.”

How to Make Pink Lemonade

Make pink lemonade by combining all the ingredients in a pitcher or punch bowl. That’s all there is to it!

Our top-rated pink lemonade recipe is tinted with cranberry juice, which also adds a wonderful sweet-tart flavor.

“It has the right amount of absolutely everything,” according to Allrecipes community member Tati M. “Perfect for a summer drink!”

Recipe creator Tonni Padgett recommends serving pink lemonade in the summer months with mint leaves and orange slices.

Get the recipe: Old-Fashioned Pink Lemonade

Read the original article on All Recipes.