Winter Lemonade with Ginger, Cinnamon & Honey

When the weather turns chilly, lemonade might not be the first drink that comes to mind—but this Winter Lemonade has a cozy little twist. Fresh lemon juice brings plenty of bright citrus flavor, while ginger, cinnamon, and honey give it a warm, spiced character that feels right at home during the colder months.

The fun part? You can serve it two ways. Top the lemon mixture with sparkling water for a refreshing, bubbly drink, or stir a little into your favorite hot tea for a citrusy boost. One recipe, two lovely ways to enjoy it!

I also love the idea of dressing up each glass with candied lemon slices. They make a pretty garnish and fit the lemony flavor perfectly.

This homemade spiced lemonade does need a little patience while the ginger and cinnamon infuse, but the hands-on preparation is simple. Make the mixture ahead, let it chill in the refrigerator for 24–36 hours, and you'll have a flavorful lemon concentrate ready whenever you want a special winter drink.

Jump to:

• What Is Winter Lemonade?
• Why You're Going to Love This Winter Lemonade
• Ingredients for Ginger Cinnamon Lemonade
• How to Make Winter Lemonade
• How to serve it
• How to Get the Best Flavor
• Variations and Serving Ideas
• What to Serve With Winter Lemonade
• Expert Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Make This Winter Lemonade
• Recipe
• 💬 Comments

What Is Winter Lemonade?

Winter lemonade is a seasonal twist on traditional homemade lemonade made with fresh lemon juice and warming spices. This version combines ginger, cinnamon, and honey with sugar to create a bright, sweet-tart lemonade mixture. Serve it topped with sparkling water for bubbly lemonade or add it to hot tea for a cozy citrus drink.

Why You're Going to Love This Winter Lemonade

• Bright, fresh lemon flavor. Fresh lemon juice gives this drink its lively citrus base.
• A cozy spiced twist. Ginger and cinnamon add a warming flavor that makes ordinary lemonade feel a little more seasonal.
• Two ways to serve it. Enjoy sparkling lemonade in a glass or stir the mixture into your favorite hot tea.
• Make-ahead friendly. The mixture chills for 24–36 hours, giving the ginger and cinnamon time to infuse.
• Pretty enough for entertaining. A candied lemon slice makes a simple glass feel festive without much extra effort.

It's a nice option when you want something different from the usual holiday drinks—especially if you love the combination of tart citrus and warming spices.

Ingredients for Ginger Cinnamon Lemonade

Scroll down to the recipe card for a printable version of the ingredients and instructions.

Here is everything you'll need for this winter lemonade recipe.

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 inch fresh ginger peeled and cut into 3rds
• 1 cup flat water
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ cup white sugar ¾ for sweeter
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• sparkling water for serving

Key Ingredients

Fresh lemon juice: This is the bright, tangy foundation of the lemonade. Its acidity balances the sweetness of the honey and sugar.

Fresh ginger: The ginger adds a warm, zippy note that pairs naturally with the lemon. Slicing it into thirds, as directed, makes it easy to remove after the mixture has infused.

Cinnamon sticks: These bring a gentle, warming spice to the lemonade. Because the sticks are removed before serving, they can infuse the mixture without remaining in the finished drink.

Honey and sugar: Both contribute sweetness and help balance the tart lemon juice. The recipe allows you to use between ½ and ¾ cup of sugar, depending on how sweet you like your lemonade.

Sparkling water: Add this when serving to turn the concentrated lemon mixture into a refreshing, bubbly drink. You can adjust the amount to suit your preferred flavor.

How to Make Winter Lemonade

How to serve it

1. Add 2oz of lemon mixture to your favorite glass and top with sparkling water to your desired flavor.
2. Or add to your favorite hot tea for extra flavor.
3. Garnish with Candied Lemon Slices.

The amount of sparkling water is up to you, so start with the suggested 2 ounces of lemon mixture and adjust the balance to your taste.

How to Get the Best Flavor

The key to this spiced lemonade is giving the ginger and cinnamon time to infuse.

• Dissolve the sugar completely. Heat the mixture until the sugar has dissolved before removing it from the heat.
• Let it cool before refrigerating. This is important if you don't want to crack your glass container so make sure you cool the mixture before transferring it to a covered glass container.
• Give it the full infusion time. Refrigerate for 24–36 hours before removing the ginger and cinnamon sticks.
• Adjust the sweetness to your taste. The recipe includes a range of sugar, so you can make the lemonade a little more tart or a little sweeter.
• Add the sparkling water at serving time. This lets you control how strong or bubbly each glass tastes.

Variations and Serving Ideas

The original recipe has two built-in serving options, so you can change the experience without changing the base mixture.

• Sparkling winter lemonade: Top the lemon mixture with sparkling water for a refreshing, fizzy drink.
• Lemon ginger tea: Stir some of the mixture into your favorite hot tea for a citrus-and-spice flavor.
• Extra-festive garnish: Finish the glass with candied lemon slices for a pretty presentation.
• Optional variation: For a different citrus garnish, try candied orange slices. This changes the garnish, not the main lemonade recipe.

If you enjoy experimenting with citrus drinks, you could also try the site's Sparkling Cranberry Lemonade for another bubbly lemonade idea.

What to Serve With Winter Lemonade

This ginger cinnamon lemonade works for a casual afternoon treat, a holiday gathering, or a cozy breakfast. Its bright citrus flavor pairs especially well with sweet baked goods.

For a full-on citrus moment, pair the drink with Lemon Meringue Tarts. The sweet-tart flavors make a lovely dessert spread.

Serve a glass of sparkling winter lemonade alongside a relaxed weekend breakfast or brunch. These Lemon Ricotta Pancakes make the perfect combination.

Candied Orange Slices make a colorful citrus addition to a dessert table or garnish selection when you're serving drinks to guests.

Expert Tips

• Use fresh lemon juice. It is the main flavor of the recipe, so fresh juice is the best fit for the ingredients provided.
• Keep the ginger in manageable pieces. Slicing the peeled ginger into thirds makes it easier to remove after the infusion.
• Don't rush the chill. The 24–36 hour rest is part of the recipe, not a step to skip.
• Taste before serving. Adjust the sparkling water to get the balance of citrus flavor and bubbles you like.
• Prepare the garnish ahead. Candied lemon slices can make the finished drink feel special with very little effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Little Make-Ahead Planning

This recipe is designed to be prepared ahead: after the sugar dissolves, let the mixture cool, transfer it to a covered glass container, and refrigerate it for 24–36 hours. Remove the ginger and cinnamon sticks before serving. After removing the ginger the mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Make This Winter Lemonade

If you're looking for a seasonal drink with a little more personality than ordinary lemonade, this Winter Lemonade brings together fresh lemon, ginger, cinnamon, and honey in a simple make-ahead mixture. Serve it sparkling for a bubbly citrus drink or add it to hot tea when you want something warm and cozy.

Don't forget the candied lemon slices if you're dressing up the glasses for company. Make a batch, try both serving styles, and let me know which one you prefer!

Recipe