How to Make an A&W Lemonade Shake at Home?

Why You’ll Love This A&W Lemonade Shake Recipe

You know that moment when you’re sweating buckets and all you want is that A&W lemonade shake but the nearest one is 20 miles away? Yeah, I’ve been there. More times than I’d like to admit.

The first time I tried this shake, I was hooked. I mean, really hooked. That creamy, slightly tangy, icy-cold swirl that makes you close your eyes and sigh? It’s something else. So I spent a week perfecting it at home. And honestly? I think I nailed it.

Word on the street is A&W brought this back for summer. But here’s the thing you don’t have to wait for their menu rotation or drive across town. This copycat a&w lemonade shake is ready whenever you are. It’s quick, uses stuff you probably already have, and tastes just like the real deal.

Plus, you can make it exactly how you like it. More tangy? Less sweet? Extra creamy? You’re in control. And your kids? They’ll think you’re a superhero. Trust me on that one.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for this a&w lemonade shake recipe. Nothing fancy, I promise.

• Water for the simple syrup and to thin out the lemonade
• Granulated sugar regular white sugar works perfectly
• Fresh lemon juice from about 8-9 lemons. Please don’t use bottled juice. It really matters here.
• Cold water to finish the lemonade base
• Ice cubes for serving that frosty glass

Now, for the shake part, you’ll also need vanilla ice cream and a splash of milk. I know those aren’t in the base recipe, but that’s what turns this homemade lemonade shake into the real A&W experience. It’s the secret to that creamy texture.

Oh, and one more thing pop your milkshake glasses in the freezer ahead of time. It keeps your shake colder longer. Little trick I picked up along the way.

How to Make A&W Lemonade Shake

This is where the magic happens. I’ll walk you through the four main stages. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect the first time mine wasn’t either.

Stage 1: Make the Simple Syrup

Start by combining 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir gently until the sugar completely dissolves. This takes about 2-3 minutes. You’re not boiling it, just warming it enough to melt those sugar crystals. Once it’s clear, take it off the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

Why go through this extra step? Simple syrup dissolves completely, so you won’t get those gritty sugar crystals at the bottom of your glass. Trust me, nobody wants that.

Stage 2: Juice the Lemons

While the syrup cools, get your lemons ready. Roll each one firmly on the counter with your palm. This softens them up and makes them easier to squeeze. Cut them in half and juice away. You need 1 ½ cups of fresh juice that’s about 8-9 lemons depending on size.

Here’s a little trick: microwave your lemon for 10-15 seconds before juicing. It helps release more juice. You can also roll it with a little pressure to loosen it up. Every drop counts when you’re making this creamy lemonade drink.

Stage 3: Mix the Lemonade Base

Pour the cooled simple syrup into a large pitcher. Add the fresh lemon juice and stir well. Then add 7 cups of cold water and stir again. Pop it in the fridge for at least an hour until it’s thoroughly chilled.

This is your homemade lemonade. You could stop here and have a perfectly good drink. But we’re not stopping. We’re going all the way to that thick lemonade shake goodness.

Stage 4: Blend the Shake

Now for the fun part. In a blender, combine 2 cups of your chilled lemonade with 2 cups of vanilla ice cream and about ¼ cup of milk. Blend until smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk. Too thin? Add more ice cream. No judgment here.

Pour into your chilled glasses over ice cubes. Add a lemon slice if you’re feeling fancy. Take a sip. That’s it. That’s the a&w drink return you’ve been waiting for.

Tips and Tricks

I’ve made this a&w lemonade shake recipe about a dozen times now. Here’s what I’ve learned.

• Use fresh lemons. I know it’s tempting to grab bottled juice, but it won’t taste the same. Fresh lemons give that bright, clean flavor that makes this shake special.
• Don’t over-blend. You want it creamy, not watery. Blend just until smooth, about 30 seconds.
• Adjust the tartness. If your lemons are really sour, add a little more ice cream or use less lemon juice. Taste as you go.
• Make it ahead. You can prepare the lemonade base and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Then just blend when you’re ready.
• Chill your glasses. Pop them in the freezer for 15 minutes before serving. Your shake stays colder longer.

And one more thing if you’re wondering how to make a&w lemonade shake without it being too icy, use room temperature simple syrup when mixing the base. It helps everything blend smoothly.

Variations and Substitutions

This a&w lemonade shake is pretty flexible. Here are some ways to switch it up.

• Dairy-free version: Use non-dairy vanilla ice cream and almond or oat milk. It’s still creamy and delicious. Perfect for a vegan lemonade shake.
• Berry lemonade shake: Toss in a handful of fresh strawberries or blueberries before blending. The color alone is worth it.
• Minty fresh: Add a few fresh mint leaves to the blender. It gives a cool, refreshing twist.
• Extra lemony: Stir in a spoonful of lemon curd for an intense lemon flavor boost.
• Graham cracker crunch: Crush some graham crackers and rim your glass. Tastes like lemon cheesecake.

These are all optional, of course. The base recipe is already amazing. But if you’re feeling adventurous, go for it.

Storage and Leftovers

Let’s be real this a&w lemonade shake is best enjoyed fresh. But if you have leftovers, here’s what to do.

Store the leftover milkshake in an airtight container in the freezer for up to an hour. After that, it starts to lose its creamy texture. You can also prepare the lemonade base ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to a week. Then just blend it with ice cream when you’re ready.

For the lemonade itself, store it in a sealed pitcher in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for about a week. Give it a good stir before serving, and only add ice when you pour it to avoid dilution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Make this tonight and let me know if you got that perfect A&W taste! I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. And if you’re looking for more a&w lemonade shake inspiration, check out my Pinterest board for more summer drink ideas. Follow me on Pinterest for more recipes.

a&w lemonade shake homemade lemonade recipe

Make this easy a&w lemonade shake inspired lemonade from scratch with fresh lemons and sugar. Perfect for summer BBQs.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 1

Course: Beverage, Quick Meals

Cuisine: American

Calories: 120

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1 cup water for simple syrup
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cups fresh lemon juice from about 8-9 lemons
• 7 cups cold water
• 2 cups ice cubes for serving

Method

 

1. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Stir gently until the sugar completely dissolves, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let the simple syrup cool to room temperature, then pour it into a large pitcher.
2. While the syrup cools, juice the lemons. Roll each lemon firmly on the counter with your palm to soften them. Cut in half and squeeze using a juicer or your hands until you have 1 ½ cups of fresh lemon juice. Add the juice to the pitcher with the cooled syrup and stir well.
3. Add the remaining 7 cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir to combine. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour. To serve, pour over ice cubes in glasses. Add lemon slices if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 31gSodium: 5mgSugar: 27g

Notes

Use room temperature lemons for easier juicing. A pinch of salt can help balance any bitterness. For a less sweet lemonade, reduce sugar to 3/4 cup. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week; stir before serving. Add ice only when serving to avoid dilution. For a creamy a&w lemonade shake variation, blend 1 cup lemonade with 1 cup vanilla ice cream.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

Source: Nutritional Information