Frozen Whipped Lemonade

The day the thermostat first hits 80 degrees, it’s time to don the swimsuits, break out the yard games and prepare a batch of frozen whipped lemonade for some outdoor fun. If you’re a fan of Chick-fil-A’s frosted lemonade, then this recipe is going to be your new song of the summer.

Frozen whipped lemonade tastes a lot like lemon ice—only with a touch of creamy sweetness. That’s because the recipe contains a small amount of heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk. These two ingredients give the drink a wonderful richness that balances the bright acidity of the freshly squeezed lemon juice. They’re not quite as heavy as a lemon milkshake, but they’re more filling and satisfying than a glass of sparkling lemonade. Frozen whipped lemonades are the perfect frozen drink to serve at home when you want to transport yourself to a sandy beach.

Frozen Whipped Lemonade Ingredients

• Lemon juice: When life gives you lemons, make frozen whipped lemonade! Juice lemons the easy way by tossing cut-up fruit into the food processor and straining out the solids afterwards. Or juice the lemons without cutting them by poking a hole in the fruit and squeezing for no mess. This lemonade recipe is not the place for bottled lemon juice!
• Heavy whipping cream: Heavy whipping cream is the key ingredient that gives this whipped lemonade recipe an irresistibly creamy taste and airy texture.
• Sweetened condensed milk: Making a tall and frosty frozen whipped lemonade is the perfect way to use up a can of sweetened condensed milk.
• Ice: If you regularly enjoy making blended, frozen beverages made with ice, investing in a blender with supreme ice-crushing capabilities is well worth the splurge.
• Whipped cream: Grab a can of whipped topping for ease, and use the rest in another dessert dolloped with whipped cream. Or, since you’ll likely have extra heavy cream, make a small batch of homemade whipped cream.
• Lemon curd: This optional ingredient is a great way to dress up the presentation of your frosty, frozen whipped lemonades. You can either use a piping bag to swirl the lemon curd around the inside of the glass or drizzle a decorative garnish over the whipped cream before serving.
• Lemon slices or twists: A slice of lemon or a curly lemon twist make beautiful garnishes for frozen whipped lemonades.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the ingredients

In a high-powered blender, combine the ice, heavy whipping cream, freshly squeezed lemon juice and sweetened condensed milk. Begin to blend the mixture on your machine’s lowest setting and gradually increase the speed to its highest setting. Puree until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.

Editor’s Tip: If the mixture is too thick and difficult to blend, a simple blender tip to try is to add 1 to 2 tablespoons of additional heavy whipping cream or lemon juice to help thin the mixture.

Step 2: Prepare the glasses, pour and serve

If desired, use a pastry bag fitted with a small round tip to pipe a spiral of lemon curd around the inside of two tall glasses. Then, divide the frozen whipped lemonade between the glasses. Top the drinks with whipped cream and garnish them with a slice or twist of lemon. Serve them immediately.

Frozen Whipped Lemonade Variations

• Make it boozy: If you love a good lemonade cocktail, then try making this frozen lemonade boozy. Add one to two shots of your favorite brand of vodka for a grown-up version of this drink. We recommend a citrus-flavored vodka.
• Try other flavor combinations: Just like all of our best lemonade recipes, you can flavor this frozen whipped lemonade with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or slices of mango. A bit of lavender syrup would also be an excellent addition.
• Add more sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter frozen whipped lemonade, you can add an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk to the blender.
• Consider a vegan alternative: To make a dairy-free whipped lemonade, swap the heavy cream for an equal amount of coconut cream. Then, sweeten it with one to two tablespoons of homemade simple syrup.

How to Store Frozen Whipped Lemonade

Frozen whipped lemonade is best enjoyed immediately upon blending, since the drink melts quickly and will lose its light, airy consistency not long after mixing.

Can you make frozen whipped lemonade ahead of time?

You could make frozen whipped lemonade ahead of time, but it might be more of a hassle than just whipping a batch up from scratch. If you want to store some in the freezer, prepare the recipe as directed and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container to store. Freeze it for up to a week. To enjoy, thaw it for several hours in the refrigerator to soften the mixture. Then, transfer it to a blender and pulse for several seconds to revitalize the mix. Serve it topped with fresh whipped cream and garnished with lemon curd.

Frozen Whipped Lemonade Tips

What type of glass should you use for frozen lemonade?

While you can serve frozen whipped lemonade in just about any glass, our favorite types of cocktail glasses for this festive summer drink are Collins, highball, hurricane or Poco Grande glasses.

Is fresh or bottled lemon juice best for frozen whipped lemonade?

While bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, you will always get the best-tasting lemon recipes if you use freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Can you use premade lemonade instead of lemon juice?

No. We do not recommend using premade lemonade (even if it’s the best bottled lemonade) for this drink. Lemonade contains extra water and added sweeteners, which will make the lemon flavor less concentrated and could make the drink taste too sweet. For best results, use lemon juice to make a frozen whipped lemonade.