Yuzu lemonade is a refreshing and tangy beverage made from yuzu juice, water, sugar, and lemon. Yuzu is a citrus fruit that originated in East Asia and is prized for its unique aroma and flavor. When mixed with lemon, it creates a drink that is slightly tart yet sweet and easy to gulp down on a hot day.
What is yuzu?
Yuzu (Citrus junos) is a citrus fruit that grows natively in central China, Japan, and Korea. It is believed to be a hybrid of sour mandarin and Ichang papeda. The fruit resembles a small grapefruit or tangerine with a bumpy, bright yellow rind. Inside, the flesh is juicy and sour with seeds.
Yuzu has been cultivated in Asia for over 1,000 years but only gained popularity in the West in recent decades. The taste is often described as tart and grapefruit-like with overtones of mandarin orange. The acidic yuzu juice and zest provide a refreshing, clean flavor.
In Japan, yuzu is highly prized for its fragrance and sour flavor profile. The Japanese use yuzu extensively in cuisine, adding it to dishes, sauces, desserts, and beverages. Yuzu kosho, a spicy yuzu flavored paste, and yuzu ponzu, a soy sauce substitute, are common condiments in Japanese cooking.
Health Benefits of Yuzu
Like other citrus fruits, yuzu is an excellent source of vitamin C. One yuzu contains about 35 mg of vitamin C, which is 40% of the Daily Value. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that supports immune function and collagen production.
Yuzu also contains antioxidants called flavonoids, including hesperidin and naringin. These antioxidants help reduce inflammation and may have anticancer effects. Some research shows yuzu has antimicrobial properties that help fight harmful bacteria and fungi.
Additionally, studies indicate the essential oils in yuzu promote relaxation and help reduce stress when inhaled. The citrus aroma appears to activate serotonin receptors in the brain.
The Origin of Yuzu Lemonade
Yuzu lemonade likely originated in Japan, where yuzu grows abundantly and is a beloved ingredient. The people of Japan have been making ponzu, a soy sauce alternative made with yuzu, for centuries. They eventually started experimenting with yuzu juice as a refreshing beverage.
Adding honey or sugar helps balance out the intense sourness of yuzu. Lemon juice boosts the citrus flavors and makes it even more thirst-quenching. The drink became popular in Japan in the summertime or served alongside sushi.
As yuzu became more available outside Japan, versions of yuzu lemonade began popping up in the West. Now it can be found on menus at high-end restaurants and juice bars around the world. The recipe has been tweaked to suit local tastes but remains energizing and unique.
How to Make Yuzu Lemonade
Making yuzu lemonade at home is easy to do with just 5 ingredients:
- Yuzu juice
- Lemon juice
- Water
- Simple syrup
- Ice
The ratios can be adjusted based on preference, but a good starting point is:
- 1/4 cup fresh yuzu juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup simple syrup
- Ice cubes
Here is a step-by-step method:
- Juice the yuzu and lemons by hand or using a citrus juicer.
- Make the simple syrup by combining equal parts sugar and water in a small pan. Heat until the sugar dissolves then let cool.
- In a large pitcher, combine the yuzu juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and water. Adjust sweetness if needed.
- Refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
- To serve, fill glasses with ice and top with the yuzu lemonade.
- Garnish with lemon slices if desired.
For enhanced flavor, use freshly squeezed juice rather than store-bought. Get creative and add sliced fruit like oranges or strawberries, fresh mint, thyme, or basil.
Where to Buy Yuzu for Yuzu Lemonade
Fresh yuzu can be hard to find depending on where you live. Here are some places to buy yuzu fruit or juice:
- Asian grocery stores – Especially Japanese and Korean markets
- Specialty / gourmet grocery stores like Whole Foods
- Online such as Amazon, Melissa’s Produce, Marx Foods
- Farmers markets in areas with yuzu orchards like California
- Juice bars that sell fresh juices
If fresh yuzu is unavailable, look for bottled or frozen pure yuzu juice with no added sugar or preservatives. It won’t have quite the same flavor pop as fresh but still works well. You can also find yuzu juice concentrate which you dilute before using.
Yuzu Lemonade Recipe Variations
Once you master the basic yuzu lemonade, try these fun variations:
Yuzu Mint Lemonade
Add 10-15 mint leaves to infuse fresh minty flavor. Muddle the leaves before adding ice and serving.
Yuzu Green Tea Lemonade
Steep 2 green tea bags in 1 cup hot water for 5 minutes. Discard bags and chill tea, then use in place of some of the water.
Yuzu Berry Lemonade
Use frozen mixed berries instead of plain ice cubes. The berries give lovely bursts of color and fruit flavor.
Spicy Yuzu Lemonade
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or ginger for some heat. Start with just a pinch and add more to taste.
Fizzy Yuzu Lemonade
Top off each glass with sparkling water, ginger ale, or lemon-lime soda for a fizzy, soda-like treat.
Boozy Yuzu Lemonade
For an alcoholic twist, add 1-2 ounces vodka or gin to each glass. Yuzu pairs exceptionally well with vodka.
Storing and Serving Yuzu Lemonade
Yuzu lemonade can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir or shake before serving to redistribute the flavors. Add fresh ice as needed to each glass.
For parties, transfer the lemonade to a punch bowl or drink dispenser with ice. Garnish with lemon slices or berries. Provide a long spoon for guests to ladle lemonade into cups.
Yuzu lemonade makes for a refreshing cooler any time of year. In winter, pour into a thermos to take on a snowy day. Or serve steaming hot as a yuzu citrus toddy.
Nutrition Facts for Yuzu Lemonade
Yuzu lemonade is high in vitamin C and provides antioxidants from the yuzu and lemon juice. It has around 100 calories per 8 ounce serving depending on added sweetener. Here is the nutrition breakdown for an 8 ounce glass:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 100 |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 26 g |
| Sugars | 24 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Vitamin C | 35 mg |
Buy Yuzu Lemonade Concentrate for Easy Prep
To simplify making yuzu lemonade at home, look for ready-to-use yuzu lemonade concentrate. Popular brands like Village Juicery, Jinju, and Hakuna Supply create cold-pressed yuzu concentrates without any artificial additives.
To use, simply combine equal parts concentrate and water in a pitcher. Then add lemon juice, sweetener, and ice as desired. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up delicious homemade yuzu lemonade in minutes.
Where to Find Yuzu Lemonade on a Menu
Yuzu lemonade is popping up on more and more restaurant and cafe menus as the citrus gains popularity. Look for yuzu lemonade at:
- Japanese restaurants that serve fresh seasonal ingredients
- Juice and smoothie bars featuring superfoods and functional ingredients
- Upscale cafes and coffee shops with craft lemonade selections
- Fine dining establishments with a specialty cocktail or mocktail menu
Yuzu lemonade makes a one-of-a-kind addition to any beverage program. Its complexity and balance of sweet and sour stands out from a typical lemonade. Next time you see it on a menu, don’t miss the chance to try this tangy treat.
How to Juice Yuzu
Juicing fresh yuzu takes a bit of work due to their thick rind, but yields the best flavor. Here’s how to juice them:
- Roll the yuzu on a hard surface while applying pressure to loosen the juice inside.
- Cut the yuzu in half crosswise.
- Use a reamer or juicer to extract the juice from each half while holding it over a bowl.
- A citrus press can also be used. Press down firmly on the yuzu half to squeeze out juice.
- For maximum yield, scrape out the membranous pulp and seeds. Crush lightly before juicing.
- Strain the collected juice through a fine mesh sieve to remove any solids or bits of rind.
If juicing a large quantity, a motorized citrus juicer can help speed up the process. But hand juicing results in fresher, brighter juice.
Tips for the Best Tasting Yuzu Lemonade
Follow these tips for stellar yuzu lemonade every time:
- Use fresh squeezed juice whenever possible, avoiding bottled juices
- Yuzu is very sour, so add sweetener and lemon juice to balance
- Chill for 1-2 hours so flavors meld
- Add lots of ice before serving for cold refreshment
- Adjust sweetness and tartness to your taste preferences
- Garnish with lemon, berries, or fresh herbs
- For convenience, make a large batch to have on hand in the fridge
Conclusion
Yuzu lemonade is a refreshing gourmet take on classic lemonade. The exotic yuzu lends unique tartness and complexity from its grapefruit, mandarin, and lime notes. When blended with sugar, water, and lemon, it makes a flavorful citrus drink that’s ideal for cooling off.
Though sourcing yuzu can be tricky, the juice is worth the hunt. Try seeking out this tangy citrus or bottled juice at Asian and gourmet markets. Yuzu lemonade is simple to whip up at home. Have fun experimenting with different flavor variations.