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This Italian lemon soda, or limonata recipe, is the homemade soda recipe you never knew you always needed, especially if you were a fan of sour lemon candies as a kid. It’s a bubbly take on classic lemonade made with homemade lemon syrup!

A hand from out of frame squeezes a slice of lemon onto a glass of freshly made Italian lemon soda pop, otherwise known as limonata.

This recipe uses my easy lemon simple syrup for the perfect balance of sweet and tart, and the bubbles make it more fun than regular lemonade. Use this soda to amp up the lemon flavor in a classic Italian limoncello cocktail for an extra zingy sip. This soda is perfect when served alongside a summery burrata caprese salad with oven baked crostini crackers, too!

When I went to Italy to see where my grandmother’s family came to America from, I realized how popular lemons are in Italian culture. Lemons are probably the most famous fruit in Italy, second only to blood oranges (unless you count olives, too)!

💕 why you’ll love this Italian lemon soda recipe

🍋 zesty & refreshing. If you’re a fan of lemonade, you’re going to love this homemade lemon soda pop!

🥳 party perfect. This recipe is perfect for scaling up for parties, especially during the spring or summer, or when you’re craving warmer days during winter!

☀️ bubbly & bright. Limonata is Italy’s answer to lemonade, made with bubbly, effervescent sparkling water instead of still water, which makes it so much more fun!

🛒 ingredients

ingredients used to make homemade Italian lemon soda pop sit on a countertop.
  • lemon simple syrup – lemon simple syrup is the secret ingredient in this lemon soda! It’s the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and tangy! Luckily, you can whip up a batch of your own homemade simple syrup using my recipe right here!
  • lemons – I recommend using organic lemons whenever possible for recipes like this, where you’ll be using the whole lemon as a garnish or ingredient. You can read more about this choice in the “food safety” section of this recipe post, located at the bottom of the page. This recipe uses conventional lemons, but if you have access to other varieties like meyer lemons, they would also work well in this recipe!
  • soda water – this recipe calls for plain unflavored soda water, which is carbonated water. Sparkling mineral water has the addition of minerals, as the name suggests, which impact the taste of the water as well. In order to keep the flavor focus on the lemons in the recipe, I recommend sticking with unflavored soda water, or regular unflavored sparkling water.
  • ice – you’ll need plenty of ice to keep this beverage frosty cold! I know it’s a little bit extra…but I get excited about ice. Luckily, I don’t think I’m alone from the looks of IceTok on TikTok. You can use the ice from your freezer, or you can get fancy and make specialty ice cubes. Check out some of my favorite ice cube trays here, and of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my intense love of our Opal Ice maker from GE. 😍 Seriously…it’s a game-changer.

See recipe card for quantities.

🫧 All about bubbly water

All bubbles are not created equal, in fact, some are put in after manufacturing and some occur naturally! Here is a quick breakdown of the kinds of carbonated beverages available.

  • seltzer water aka soda water aka sparkling water – unflavored water with carbonation added. No minerals are added, so the flavor profile is clean and pure. Sometimes called sparkling water, or soda water, and can be used interchangeably in any recipe noting either name.
  • sparkling mineral water – usually naturally carbonated from the source of the water, like springs or wells. They also naturally contain minerals, which affect the flavor based on the mineral content. Sparkling mineral water is not interchangeable in recipes calling for seltzer water or sparkling water, because of the additional flavors added from the minerals.
  • club soda – water that has carbon dioxide added, then had minerals added. The minerals that are added depend on the manufacturer, and they can sometimes give the club soda a slightly salty flavor. This can be handy in sweeter drinks, or cocktails. Because the taste difference is slight, club soda can usually be used interchangeably in recipes calling for soda water, sparkling water, or seltzer.
  • tonic water – water that is carbonated and then has minerals added, with the most notable being quinine (pronounced kwai-nine). Quinine has a bitter flavor, so some brands of tonic water also add sugar or syrups to their beverages. Tonic is not interchangeable for soda water, seltzer, or club soda.

🍳 instructions

Step 1 of making a homemade lemon soda: Fill glasses half full with ice.

Step 1: Fill your preferred glass halfway with ice.

Step 2 of making a homemade lemon soda: fill a glass halfway with ice and garnish with lemon slices.

Step 2: Layer lemon slices against the wall of the glass, as a garnish.

Step 3 of making a homemade lemon soda: Fill the remainder of the glass with ice.

Step 3: Fill the remaining half of the glass with ice.

Step 4 of making a homemade lemon soda: Add 1 ounce of lemon simple syrup to the glasses.

Step 4: Add 1 ounce of lemon simple syrup to the glass.

Step 5 of making a homemade lemon soda: Add 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the glasses.

Step 5: Layer in 1/2 to 1 ounce of fresh squeezed lemon juice to the glass on top of the lemon syrup.

Step 6 of making a homemade lemon soda: Top each glass with soda water.

Step 6: Fill the remainder of the glass with sparkling water.

Finished shot of a homemade Italian lemon soda, or limonata.

Step 7: Garnish with a slice of lemon, a twisted slice of lemon zest, or both!

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💡 tips and tricks for getting it right

🍽️ Serving Tips – This Italian lemon soda is perfect for a spring or summer day, poolside or at the beach! You can prepare the base in a portable pitcher and bring cans of sparkling water to make on-site. It’s also a great mocktail to serve alongside limoncello spritzes at brunch!

ℹ️ Troubleshooting Tips – Citrus can vary wildly in flavor, so it can sometimes be hard to say how much juice you should use in a recipe. If your beverage is bitter, add more sugar a little at a time until things even out. The general rule is to taste as you go, and start with half the amount and increase from there. I’ve tested this recipe several times using a variety of lemons, and this is the ratio I’ve found to work best.

⚖️ Scaling Tips – This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a party! If you are making it for a gathering, I suggest juicing a few lemons first so you have all the ingredients on hand. You can mix the lemon simple syrup and the lemon juice first, and then add the sparkling water just before serving to keep the beverage as bubbly as possible.

🔆 top tip

If you are preparing your lemon simple syrup at the same time you want to make these beverages, make the syrup first to allow it to cool slightly before making these drinks.

♻️ substitutions & variations

Missing an ingredient? No problem. 💅🏻 Check out these tried-and-true substitutions, or comment below with your question. I’m here to help you troubleshoot!

  • citrus – you can experiment with different citrus flavors to mix up this recipe. Try it with oranges, limes, or grapefruit!
  • minty – fresh mint is the perfect garnish or addition to this lemon soda, especially during summertime!
  • herby – add a few sprigs of rosemary or basil for an herbaceous twist on this lemon soda!

🧰 equipment needed & storage tips

  • drinking glasses – highball glasses are a great choice for this lemon soda recipe, but you can use whatever drinking glasses you have on hand!
  • measuring beaker or jigger – I love these small nesting beakers from OXO, but you can also use a classic cocktail jigger to measure out your simple syrup and lemon juice.
  • straws – if you’re serving a large batch of these beverages, color-coordinated straws can be a fun option. For just enjoying one beverage at a time, silicone straws from GIR are my absolute favorite!

🫙 storage tips

It’s best to enjoy this lemon soda shortly after making it, to maintain maximum bubbliness!

If you must make it in advance, be sure to store it in a bottle with a stopper, like the bottles from Bormioli Rocco. The ingredients don’t hold up well to storage for more than 24 hours.

💬 q+a

What is the difference between limonata and lemon soda?

Lemon soda doesn’t usually have lemon juice added to it, just lemon simple syrup. The addition of lemon juice gives this soda an even more lemony flavor!

Is limonata the same as lemonade?

Limonata is an Italian lemonade, and traditionally uses sparkling water. American lemonade traditionally uses still water, so this version is basically lemonade with bubbles!

What does limonata mean?

Limonata translates from Italian to English to mean “lemonade.”

Do I need to use lemon simple syrup to make this recipe?

Yes, lemon simple syrup is really what gives this recipe its wonderfully tart and zingy lemon flavor!

If you don’t have the lemon simple syrup on hand, you can mix up a glass by using 1-2 TBSP of sugar, the zest of 1/2 a lemon, and the juice of 1 whole lemon for each glass of sparkling water.

Is there caffeine in this Italian lemon soda?

No, there is no caffeine in this soda because it is made with sparkling water.

If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
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feature image of a homemade Italian lemon soda, also called a limonata.

Italian Lemon Soda (Limonata)

This bubbly and refreshing beverage is Italy's take on lemonade! It's full of bright and zesty lemon flavor and effervescent sparkling water. It uses a homemade lemon simple syrup and freshly squeezed lemon juice, so it's got REAL lemon flavor, unlike store-bought sodas.
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: lemon, simple syrup, sparkling water
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 glass
Calories: 107kcal
Author: Lindsey Neumayer

Equipment

  • 1 drinking glass
  • 1 straw

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce lemon simple syrup
  • 1 ounce lemon juice, fresh use 0.5 – 1 ounce, depending on preference
  • 8 ounces sparkling water can substitute seltzer, soda water, or club soda
  • ice to fill glass
  • 1 lemon sliced, used as a garnish

Instructions

  • Fill your preferred glass halfway with ice.
  • Layer lemon slices against the wall of the glass, as a garnish.
  • Fill the remaining half of the glass with ice.
  • Add 1 ounce of lemon simple syrup to the glass.
  • Layer in 1/2 to 1 ounce of fresh squeezed lemon juice, depending on how tart you want your soda, to the glass on top of the lemon syrup.
  • Fill the remainder of the glass with sparkling water.
  • Garnish with a slice of lemon, a twisted slice of lemon zest, or both!
  • Best enjoyed immediately after making, to preserve the bubbles!

Nutrition Information

Servings: 1 glass
Calories: 37mg
Total Fat: 37mg
Saturated Fat: 37mg
Trans Fat: 37mg
Cholesterol: 37mg
Sodium: 37mg
Carbohydrates: 37mg
Fiber: 37mg
Sugar: 37mg
Protein: 37mg

The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.

🧯food safety

Food safety is an important ingredient in any recipe for success! Here are some tips to keep you safe in the kitchen!

  • If you are planning to store this soda in a bottle with a stopper, be careful when opening the bottle. Carbonation can cause the contents to erupt if shaken excessively.
  • Use caution when slicing lemons. Always practice proper knife safety and make sure your cutlery is properly sharpened. It may sound counterintuitive, but dull knives are more dangerous than sharp knives. Check out some knife safety tips here.
  • Organic produce is grown without the use of synthetic chemical pesticides. This is important to consider when you are using parts of the lemons like the peel, which is notorious for its exposure to pesticides. This study divulges information about the pesticides used and found in lemons, specifically in Turkey. Whenever you are able to, purchase local and organic produce to minimize your exposure to synthetic pesticides.
  • Organic does not mean pesticide free. It simply means there is no use of synthetic pesticides. You can read more about the use of pesticides in organic farming in this article here, which busts several popular myths of organic produce. Ultimately, it is up to YOU to decide what you are most comfortable eating. 😊

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