Does Lemonade Have Soda in It? The Surprising Regional Differences

November 28, 2025 •

4 min read

While most of the world agrees on lemonade's basic ingredients—lemon juice, water, and a sweetener—its carbonation is a point of major cultural difference. In North America, traditional lemonade is almost always non-carbonated and still, whereas in the United Kingdom, the term 'lemonade' typically refers to a clear, fizzy soft drink, similar to a lemon-lime soda. This regional variation is the key to understanding whether your lemonade has soda in it.

Quick Summary

The inclusion of soda in lemonade is a matter of geography and cultural definitions. In the US, lemonade is a still beverage, while in the UK and Australia, it is a carbonated soft drink. Some homemade recipes add sparkling water for a fizzy twist, blurring the traditional lines.

Key Points

Regional Differences: 'Lemonade' has different meanings globally; it's a still drink in North America but a carbonated soft drink in the UK and Australia.
Still Lemonade: Traditional American lemonade is made with lemon juice, sugar, and non-carbonated water, often cloudy and refreshing.
Carbonated Lemonade: In the UK and other countries, 'lemonade' is a clear, fizzy soda, similar to lemon-lime brands like Sprite.
Homemade Sparkling Lemonade: It is common and simple to make a fizzy version by adding carbonated water or club soda to traditional still lemonade.
Linguistic Confusion: The different definitions of the same word often lead to confusion for travelers expecting one version but receiving the other.
Versatility: The basic components of lemon and sugar can be adapted with either still or carbonated water to create a wide variety of drinks.

Regional Definitions: Still vs. Carbonated

The most significant factor determining if your lemonade has soda in it is where you are from. A simple order can lead to a completely different drink depending on the continent. This is a classic case of the same word having two distinct meanings.

American-Style (Still) Lemonade

In the United States, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean, lemonade is traditionally a non-carbonated drink. It is a simple, refreshing beverage made by combining fresh lemon juice, sugar or simple syrup, and still water, and it is usually served over ice. This 'still' lemonade is an iconic summertime staple, often sold from children's stands or served at barbecues and fairs. For American consumers, if a lemon-flavored drink is carbonated, it is typically called a 'lemon soda' or referred to by a brand name like Sprite or 7-Up.

British-Style (Carbonated) Lemonade

Across the pond in the United Kingdom, as well as in Australia and New Zealand, the word 'lemonade' refers to a clear, carbonated, lemon-flavored soft drink. It is essentially a fizzy, citrus-flavored soda. Early forms of this carbonated version were sold in the 19th century after the popularization of fizzy drinks. This type of lemonade is commonly sold in bottles and is also used as a mixer for alcoholic drinks, such as in a 'shandy,' which combines beer and lemonade.

The Hybrid: Sparkling Lemonade

As global food trends blend, a third category has emerged: sparkling lemonade. This hybrid drink is intentionally made fizzy by adding carbonated water or club soda to traditional lemonade ingredients. Sparkling lemonade offers the classic, fresh taste of homemade lemonade but with the added texture and refreshment of bubbles. Recipes for sparkling lemonade often call for simple syrup, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and chilled soda water. It is a versatile choice that bridges the gap between the still and soda versions.

Comparison Table: Still vs. Carbonated


Feature	Traditional (American) Lemonade	Carbonated (British) Lemonade	Sparkling Lemonade (Hybrid)
Carbonation	No; still and flat	Yes; fizzy like soda	Yes; effervescent, homemade bubbles
Primary Ingredients	Lemon juice, sugar, still water	Carbonated water, sugar, lemon flavoring	Lemon juice, sugar, sparkling water
Flavor Profile	Sweet and tart; can contain pulp	Sweet, citrusy, and often clearer	Fresh, bright, and fizzy
Appearance	Cloudy and opaque from juice and pulp	Clear, like a lemon-lime soda	Can be cloudy or clear depending on ingredients
Homemade vs. Store-bought	Typically homemade or closely mimics it	Predominantly mass-produced; similar to a lemon soda	Easily made at home by adding bubbly water to a still concentrate

Can You Add Soda to Lemonade?

Yes, adding soda water or club soda to traditional lemonade is a simple way to create a sparkling lemonade. This is a common practice for those who enjoy the fresh, authentic taste of homemade lemonade but desire the fizzy mouthfeel of a soft drink. It's a customizable option that allows you to control the level of sweetness and carbonation.

Key Considerations for Adding Fizz:

Flavor Balance: The flavor profile changes slightly when carbonated. Some people find that adding bubbles balances the sweetness, while others prefer to adjust the sugar content slightly.
Mixing: To avoid losing carbonation, stir the soda water in gently just before serving. It's best not to pre-mix large batches if you want maximum fizz.
Ingredient Quality: Using high-quality fresh lemon juice and a homemade simple syrup will always produce the best-tasting sparkling lemonade.

The Takeaway: It's All in the Geography and Recipe

The fundamental confusion around whether lemonade contains soda is a classic example of a linguistic and cultural difference. What's called 'lemonade' is simply not the same beverage everywhere. In North America, the answer is a definitive no, as traditional lemonade is a still beverage. However, in the UK and other regions, the answer is yes, as it's defined as a carbonated drink. For those who enjoy both worlds, the practice of creating sparkling lemonade at home is a popular compromise.

Ultimately, whether your beverage is still or fizzy depends entirely on the recipe being used and the regional definition of the drink. Understanding this distinction can save you from a surprising sip when you're traveling abroad. Wikipedia offers a deeper look at the global variations of lemonade.

Conclusion: The Lemonade Spectrum

From the classic still version beloved in America to the fizzy soda popular in the UK, lemonade exists on a spectrum. The inclusion of soda is not a fixed trait of the drink but a variable element defined by cultural norms and personal preference. The beauty lies in this versatility—whether you prefer a flat, homemade version or a bubbly, store-bought one, there's a perfect lemonade for every palate. The next time you grab a glass, you'll know precisely whether to expect a refreshing still drink or a zesty, carbonated soda.

Frequently Asked Questions

In countries where lemonade refers to a carbonated drink (like the UK), Sprite is a type of lemonade. However, in North America, Sprite is a lemon-lime soda and is not considered a traditional, still lemonade.

Sparkling lemonade is a version of the classic drink that has carbonated water or soda water added to it, giving it a bubbly, effervescent quality while retaining the fresh lemon flavor.

The difference is historical. While both countries originally had still lemonade, the UK embraced the addition of carbonation with the rise of soft drinks in the 19th century, while the US maintained the traditional still version as the default.

No, traditional homemade lemonade, especially in America, is made with fresh lemon juice, sugar, and still water, and it does not have soda in it unless it is intentionally added.

In places like the UK, where 'lemonade' typically means a clear, carbonated soda, 'cloudy lemonade' is a term used to specify a beverage made with real lemon juice that is opaque, either still or fizzy.

Yes, you can easily substitute soda water for still water in most lemonade recipes to make a sparkling version. It's a popular choice for those who prefer a fizzy drink.

No, historically, the earliest recipes for lemonade from the 17th and 18th centuries did not contain carbonation and were made simply with lemon juice, sugar, and water.