The History of Lemonade  

Lemonade is a very popular drink that can be made in a variety of ways. Lemonade can be made directly from the fruit itself, freshly squeezed, with or without pulp, in a drink that is similar to orange juice. It can be made from a concentrated powder, which is usually artificially flavored and mixed with water to produce the drink. It can also be made with the addition of carbonation, for a soda-like drink.

Ancient History

It is unknown as to who actually discovered or invented lemonade. Lemons were introduced to Persia and the general Middle-Eastern area around the beginning of the twelfth century. The lemon was a common ingredient in many dishes in the area because its juice was refreshing in the arid climate and the fruit was easily obtainable.

Egyptians

The first mention of lemonade is found in ancient Egyptian writings and so it is commonly believed that Egypt is where lemonade originated. It makes sense that lemonade would have been discovered in an area where lemons were so commonly used. At that time, lemonade was like wine, drunk by the peasants for relief during hard workdays. This concoction is only slightly different from today's common recipe, in that they used the lemon in conjunction with honey or dates instead of sugar.

Modern-Day Lemonade

Today, lemonade can be broken down into three common types: clear, fizzy and cloudy. Clear lemonade is made from lemons and water, or lemons and carbonated water, without adding any sugar. It is a very popular drink nowadays, commonly found across Europe. Fizzy lemonade is made with soda, lemon flavor - usually artificial - and some type of sweetener. This variety is commonly sold as a soft-drink type beverage. It can be found anywhere from vending machines to soda fountains at restaurants. Cloudy lemonade is considered "classic" lemonade. It is made from water, sugar and lemon juice which is commonly obtained from freshly squeezed lemons. This variety is an American favorite. It is sold at every summer fair or festival for a slightly sour, but overall sweet and refreshing way to cool off on a particularly intense summer day.

Pink Lemonade

Another version of lemonade rapidly gaining popularity is pink lemonade, which is usually sweeter than other varieties, due to the fact that other juices are commonly used to obtain the pink color, although the pink can come from artificial dyes The origin of pink lemonade is in question as more than one person has been credited with creating it. While its origin is uncertain, a definite truth is that lemonade, whether regular or pink, will always be the go-to drink for much needed refreshment on summer days.