I Asked 7 Experts To Name the Best Store-Bought Lemonade—They All Named the Same One

It's the closest thing to homemade.

By
Christina Manian, RDN
Christina Manian
Christina Manian, RDN
Christina is a writer, registered dietitian, and sustainable food systems professional with over 10 years of experience. She's featured in Real Simple, Better Home and Gardens, Well+Good, Taste of Home, Vitamix, Dignity Health, Climbing Magazine, Nutrition Business Journal, Simply Recipes, and more.
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Published June 09, 2025
Christina Manian
Two glasses of lemonade with lemon slices on a tray, a bowl of lemons, and a vase of flowers in the background

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

For me, no drink embodies summertime quite like lemonade. It’s refreshing, tart, and a little sweet—perfect on a hot day (or night). Growing up, a pitcher of lemonade was always nearby on beach days, dinners on the patio, and summer birthday parties. Now, as an adult, it's one of the few sweetened beverages I still reach for, as it has just enough tartness and acidity to keep me interested.

While I do have a few go-to lemonade brands that I love (if I’m not whipping up a batch myself), I was curious what brands food experts love. After speaking with seven of them, I was surprised to discover that they all recommended the same one.

The Experts I Asked

A bottle of Trader Joe's Fresh Squeezed Lemonade on a blue background

Simply Recipes / Trader Joe's

The Best Store-Bought Lemonade, According to Experts

This diverse, hardworking bunch of food professionals agree that Trader Joe’s Fresh Squeezed Lemonade is one of the best store-bought brands out there. “It tastes like summer in a glass,” says Clarke. Castillo agrees, adding, “this lemonade is the ultimate summer drink.”

The experts largely focused on flavor when selecting their top brand. “Made with just a few high-quality ingredients, it delivers the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness without being overly sugary or artificial,” shares Fischer. The lemonade's tartness is also what attracts Marris, who notes "it's the closest flavor to homemade."

Trader Joe's Fresh Squeezed Lemonade contains only three ingredients—water, lemon, and sugar—which was a major selling point for many of these experts. “What sets it apart is its simplicity," explains Manaker. "It's made with minimal ingredients, which is a refreshing approach compared to many other store-bought lemonades loaded with preservatives and artificial additives."

How to Enjoy Trader Joe's Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

Of course this lemonade is perfectly thirst-quenching on its own, but experts note that it can be blended into a range of other drinks, too. “Whether you’re sipping it straight, using it as a base for an amazing cocktail, or popping it in the freezer for a slushy that’s next-level refreshing, I seriously can’t get enough of it,” Castillo shares. Clarke and Fischer also love including it in summery drinks, from Arnold Palmers to margaritas.

And while this adult-only panel praised Trader Joe's lemonade, apparently the little ones are also fans. “My kids love it," says McMichael. "It’s definitely one of my top picks—and I love that it’s budget-friendly." Manaker gives it to her kids as an occasional treat on a sunny day or gathering. Carli agrees: "Every now and then, I have no problem giving this to my son as a treat because of the limited ingredients.”

One thing to note: Don’t expect to find this tasty lemonade in the aisles of Trader Joe’s. This preservative-free treat will be sitting in the refrigerated section.

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