Best Lemonade In Los Angeles
(credit: Jeremy Chen)
When summer is giving you lemons, it's time to go find some lemonade. With National Lemonade Day, it's that time of the year when a cup of cold refreshing lemonade soothes the heat and satisfies our sweet tooth. The best lemonade in Los Angeles comes in all varieties whether you're looking to unwind after a workout, or enjoy some class with a mixer. There's nothing better than the pang of sourness along with the sugary sweetness to cool off during the dog days of summer.
(credit: Jeremy Chen)
Lemonade
Multiple Locations
lemonadela.com
With a name like "Lemonade" the multiplying chain café lives up to its signature drink with several varieties of lemonade. Organized in a cafeteria-like fashion, customers can order flavors ranging from the traditional old fashioned lemonade to unique ones like cucumber mint, blueberry mint, watermelon rosemary, guava limeade, blood-orange and more. The café rotates the flavors everyday so come in from time to time to see what's new at Lemonade. Highly recommended flavor to try is the watermelon rosemary as it combines the two best summer fruits into one thirst-quenching drink. Lemonade has venues throughout Southern California (Downtown LA, Museum of Contemporary Art, Venice, Pasadena, Brentwood, Manhattan Beach, LAX, Larchmont, etc) as well as in Orange County (Newport Beach), Ventura County (Westlake), and in San Diego.
(credit: Jeremy Chen)
The Melt
Multiple Locations
themelt.com
This fast-casual chain with locations throughout Los Angeles is known more for its sandwich melts, but one could argue that their lemonade is what keeps patrons coming back. At $1.95 a cup for 12 oz. of house-made lemonade, it's good for people downtown on the run who want no quirks with their drink but just need to beat the heat fast. The small cylinders of ice ensure the lemonade is cold and melts fast in order to enhance the flavor.
(credit: Jeremy Chen)
Aroma Bakery
7373 W Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 850-8120
www.aromabakery.com
This Israeli-style bakery and café is an institution in the Hollywood area right near the corner of La Brea and Sunset. Serving up lemonade that is spot-on with being sweet but not so much to the point where the tartness of the lemons is overpowered, it's one of the best in Los Angeles. A slice of lemon is added to the drink for good measure as well and is another great choice for people just wanting freshly made cold lemonade. Paired with a good bagel, it makes for a delicious and tasty snack.
(credit: Jeremy Chen)
Yuko Kitchen
5484 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 933-4020
www.yukokitchen.com
This Japanese-style eatery located in the Miracle Mile is usually busy at lunchtime during the summer and nearly all customers that go through ask for the signature mint lemonade. This slushy concoction is perfect for those needing something a little more on the frozen side. Bearing a resemblance to Naked Juice's Green Machine, it looks more like a detox cleanser than a refreshment, but once the taste of frozen lemonade with a hint of mint flavor hits, it becomes heavenly. Try it with their green tea macaroon for the perfect dessert binge.
(credit: Jeremy Chen)
Hot Dog On A Stick
Multiple Locations
www.hotdogonastick.com
Besides being famous for their hot dogs, this mall food court staple also became well-known for its lemonade and is the industry standard by which all other lemonades adhere to. Made fresh every two hours by employees who wear the distinctive carnival-style uniform, the lemonade is available in original, cherry, lime, blue raspberry, or frozen. Located mostly in shopping malls across the Southland, the drink is a perfect pairing with its air-conditioned setting. From the Westside Pavilion to the Century City Mall, Glendale Galleria and Citadel Outlets, there are plenty of locations to get your leomade fix.
Jeremy Chen is a news intern with KCBS/KCAL. He is a student at the University of Southern California majoring in Broadcast and Digital Journalism with an emphasis in Chinese Language. He is a proud Trojan and is a member of the Spirit of Troy, the USC Trojan Marching Band, as a snare drummer when he not busy being a news junkie.
