This cayenne lemonade is the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy. It’s refreshing yet fiery, making it the ideal drink for those who love bold flavors. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up this zesty drink in no time!

two glasses of cayenne lemonade garnished with lime slices

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When the weather heats up, I love reaching for something refreshing, and cayenne lemonade hits the spot every time. I tried it on a whim and got hooked on the sweet, tangy, and spicy combo.

Its combination became popular in the 1940s as part of a “Master Cleanse” drink, known for helping your body detox and stimulate the digestive system thanks. This recipe is my take the original Master Cleanse recipe. It is very similar but in my opinion it tastes a little better.

You might also like our Strawberry Lemonade and Blueberry Lemonade Cocktail!

Why I love this recipe

The combo of sweet, tangy, and spicy makes it so refreshing and satisfying.

It’s super simple to make with just a handful of ingredients and you can adjust the cayenne for a little heat or a big kick depending on your mood.

Ingredients

hot water – keeps you hydrated!
dark brown sugar – my sweetener of choice but you can try maple syrup or honey as alternatives
lemons – the fresh lemon juice is high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and citric acid, which can help stimulate digestion, support liver function, and aid in the elimination of toxins
cayenne pepper – has capsaicin, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties

Step by step

Mix the hot water and dark brown sugar until the sugar dissolves completely.
Add lemon juice and pepper and stir until everything is well blended.
Serve over ice and enjoy the sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors.

Tips for best results

Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. Bottled juice just doesn’t give that same punch.
Adjust the cayenne pepper to suit your taste. If you like more heat, add a pinch more!
Serve over a lot of ice to balance the spice and sweetness.
Chill the lemonade for at least 30 minutes before serving for a more refreshing experience.

Variations

You can try add some freshly grated ginger for an extra layer of warmth, or swap out the brown sugar for honey, maple syrup, or agave for a different sweetness profile.

I sometimes add a splash of sparkling water to give it a bubbly twist!

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Storage

If you’ve made extra cayenne lemonade (which I recommend!), you can store it in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Just give it a good stir before serving, as the cayenne pepper can settle at the bottom. It’s still as refreshing and spicy as when you first made it!

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!