Homemade Lemonade with Stevia
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Mar 26, 2026 
My sugar-free lemonade with stevia is my family’s go-to refreshing drink for hot summer days. I mix fresh-squeezed lemon juice, water, and zero-calorie stevia to create a perfectly sweet lemonade without the sugar. This easy 3-ingredient recipe is hydrating, delicious, and the perfect way to enjoy a classic summer drink without the extra calories.
My son Carson is an adult now, but as a child, he had an absolute sweet tooth. (Ok, not much has changed there.) For years, he would come home from school and immediately start sifting through the pantry, hunting for a sweet snack. When no sugar was to be found he’d ask, “Can I make lemonade?”
Me: “Baby, you don’t need all that sugar.”
Carson: “How about “stevia lemonade??”
I always gave in. And why not? After all, stevia is a natural zero-calorie sweetener that tames any sweet tooth without spiking sugar levels like crazy! (I mean, it’s not as healthy as my ginger shot recipe with lemon, but much more kid-friendly.) Due to Carson’s persistent routine of hunting for sugary snacks, then making himself a beverage, he became very good at making stevia lemonade. So much so, it’s now been our family’s go-to method for making lemonade for over a decade. I hope you give this homemade lemonade a try and enjoy it just as much as our family does!
Carol – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved Carson’s recipe. Not sweet, but not too tart!
It’s now MY favourite lemonade recipe. I use Stevia in all my baking, and now I can use it to make lemonade. The less sugar I use in recipes, the happier I am.
Table of Contents
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
Three-ingredients – There is nothing easier than putting together this 3-ingredient satisfying drink! I’m combining fresh lemon juice, stevia, and water… This recipe is certainly nothing fancy, just perfect proportions to let the fabulous sweet and tart lemon flavor we love shine!
Perfect for hot days – I love to make this lemonade during the summer, whether it’s for one of those pool days, a backyard bbq, or just an afternoon pick-me-up. Mix everything up and get ready to cool off with a cold glass of bright, juicy, and refreshing lemonade in a matter of minutes!
Zero-calories – How can something this sweet and delicious have no calories? That’s the magic of stevia, people! Next to making the lemonade taste good, the best part about using this sugar alternative is that you won’t get a sugar crash after drinking the beverage.
Key Ingredients and Tips
- Lemon juice – You MUST use fresh-squeezed lemons to make this lemonade, not the bottled stuff. When I buy lemons, I look for large, ripe fruits that are slightly soft when I give them a little squeeze. There shouldn’t be any major blemishes on the outside.
- Stevia – I use a high-quality powdered stevia for the best taste. Why powdered? Because it easily combines with the water and lemon juice, whereas granulated is difficult to dissolve and will stay grainy. (Unless it’s combined in a high speed blender, like my creamy Orange Julius recipe.)
- Water – I love to use really cold filtered water from the fridge to make this super refreshing. Plus ice!
How To Make
Find the full recipe with detailed instructions and storage tips in the printable form at the bottom of the post!
Juice – I use a juicer, or you can do it the old-fashioned way by hand, to squeeze 1 1/2 cups of juice out of my 8-10 large lemons. Then I pour it into a large pitcher.
Sugar – Next, I scoop powdered stevia from the bag and into the pitcher. (Don’t try to dump it into the measuring cup. And don’t ask me how I figured out that tip.)
Stir – I use a wooden spoon to stir the lemon juice and stevia together, until the powder completely dissolves into the juice
Add Water – Lastly, I stir in the super cold water. And for even more refreshing-ness, I’ll add a large scoop of cubes or crushed ice to the pitcher.
Recipe Variations and Dietary Swaps
- Vanilla extract – Stir in 1 teaspoon of quality vanilla to boost the tart lemonade and add a deeper level of sweetness.
- Lavender buds – Feeling fancy? Mix in fresh garden lavender buds to create a tangy floral note. Just be sure to strain them out before serving!
- Fresh Herbs – For an extra lovely touch I’ll add fresh sprigs of rosemary, fresh mint leaves, or basil leaves after I’ve mixed the lemonade together.
- Mocktail – Pour in some sparkling water for a fizzy, slightly more elevated drink.
Serving Suggestions
I’ll pour this homemade lemonade over a lot of ice in a beautiful, tall glass and top it off with a wedge of fresh lemon and some of those fresh herbs I mentioned above.
Serve a pitcher with some light appetizers like this whipped feta dip and chopped vegetables, or with this clam dip.
Storage Notes
I usually make a large batch, and it’s gone within a day. But if you do have leftover lemonade, keep it in an airtight pitcher and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nope! The end result will be the same. Use whichever you prefer, just keep in mind that liquid stevia can be more concentrated.
Sure, you can! Just make sure to stir before serving.
Try stirring in another 1 teaspoon of powdered stevia at a time, making sure it dissolves, until the lemonade reaches the perfect sweetness.
Help Me Spread the Word about this Fabulous Free Recipe! Sharing this recipe link on Pinterest and Facebook is super impactful, and I greatly appreciate it! Find the share buttons below the recipe form.
More Beverage Recipes
Homemade Lemonade with Stevia
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups fresh squeezed lemon juice (8-10 juicy lemons)
- 1/2 cup powdered stevia (or equal to 1 cup sugar)
- 6 cups water
Instructions
- Pour the lemon juice into a pitcher. Stir the stevia into the lemon juice and continue stirring until the stevia has completely dissolved into the juice.
- Add the water, and stir well. Add ice and enjoy!
Ran out of Minute Maid Just 15 Lemonade. Had lemon juice and truvia on hand…. so this was perfect!
Mixed it up and hubby tasted and said “This is MUCH better than that stuff you buy!”
Thanks for sharing!!!
We had some neighbors give us some lemons from their daughter’s trees. Your recipe was the only one that sounded like one I’d try. I actually added a bit more water, and my family loves it! Thank you, this is now going to be my go-to recipe.
I’m sure it’ll be great! All we have is the packets of organic Stevia. So thank you and going to calculate!
Loved Carson’s recipe. Not sweet, but not too tart!.
It’s now MY favourite lemonade recipe. I use Stevia in all my baking, and now I can use it to make lemonade. The less sugar I use in recipes, the happier I am.
This lemonade is sooo refreshing and taste delicious!!
What a refreshing drink. Makes me crave summertime!
I want to sip on this all summer long! LOVE!
I’m sure my girls will love this just as much as Carson!
I am with Carson on the sweet tooth! Definitely going to have to try his lemonade!
I used stevia in the raw. I used the amount specified in the recipe, but it wasn’t sweet enough, and I was worried about adding more stevia, so I added 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup to balance it out. Still very sour, but that’s how I like it! It may have been because I was using raw stevia that it was so sour. I will have to try other kinds of Stevia to test that out. Bery yummy in the end. I am glad I found this recipe! I have been looking for a recipe that didn’t call for stevia extract, and this was perfect. Thank you!
So easy to make and yummy! Thanks Carson, my kids loved it too!
What type of powdered Stevia do you use? I could not possibly use 1/2 cup of the Nu-stevia that I keep on hand — 1/32 of a teaspoon is plenty for my smoothies — maybe 2 of those if I do not use sweet fruit. The recipe sounds very refreshing!
Hi Sanc!
Most stevia powders are 1/2 cup per every 1 cup of sugar. However if your brand is higher in concentration, use whatever amount would equal 1 cup sugar.
I have made stevia lemonade by the glass for myself a few times before. The type of stevia powder I use is nearly 100% pure stevia. VERY strong! Probably similar to what Sanc is using. I agree, with that type I would be afraid to use more than 2 teaspoons for an entire pitcher. That said, stevia lemonade is very refreshing! Also, I like the tip of mixing the stevia and lemon juice first. If you’ve forgotten to do that, no worries! A little room temperature water will also help to dissolve it. Cheers!