Pickle Lemonade Is Summer's Viral Drink—Here’s What Martha Editors Think About It

All things pickle-flavored are trending this summer. The briny notes have appeared in martinis, potato chips, and now lemonade. The simple summer drink is perfect for when you want to quickly mix something up that still offers bold flavor and maximum refreshment. The unique flavor combo has people posting videos of this viral mocktail on Instagram and TikTok, so much so that decorvow editors decided they had to try it themselves. Ahead, we'll share everything about the trend that's taking over this summer—and what we really think about the flavor combination.

How to Make Pickle Lemonade

There are so many variations of this recipe online that you can make, whether you prefer it to be spicy or sweet, but they all come down to just a few ingredients. One creator, @lainiecooks, shared her pickle lemonade recipe and included spicy pickle juice and cayenne pepper. The video has received over 428,000 views to date on TikTok, with many viewers commenting on how they would mix it up. "This sounds heavenly. You had me at pickle," one person wrote. Another commented: "Immediately adding tequila tho."

I think we can all agree that lemonade is loved by many, but when it comes to pickles, people either love them or hate them. Making a batch of pickle lemonade could be a controversial choice for your guests, so it's best to ask if they're interested before serving it.

The refreshing lemonade base is made with lemon juice, water, and sugar or simple syrup. The ratio for a single serving is the juice of one lemon per person, followed by sugar and water to dilute it to your liking. Once you have your lemonade base, slowly add dill pickle juice to the mix, testing as you go. Shake everything up so the briny, salty, and sweet flavors blend. Pour over a generous amount of ice in a glass, and garnish with fresh dill or a pickle.

What Our Editors Think

To test this drink trend, some of our editors stirred up a batch of pickle lemonade and shared their thoughts. The drink has been hyped up online, but for some of us, it didn't live up to the excitement. Most of us saw some merit in the drink—some more so than others—and suggested ways to elevate it.

'Mostly enjoyable'

"As a true pickle lover, I found this beverage mostly enjoyable—emphasis on mostly. The first sip hits with intense pickle flavor, amplified by its briny aroma. As it settles on the palate, the lemonade notes begin to emerge, which, for me, made the experience a bit less enjoyable. Still, the salty, tangy kick was tasty enough that I finished the entire cup. I’d drink it again, but if given the choice, I’d rather have straight pickle juice." —Madeline Buiano, editor 

'It would pair nicely with gin!'

"While most have been saying that this would be good after imbibing, I think it would pair nicely with gin! There's something about the tangy, brininess that I think would match gin's piney flavor perfectly. Honestly, I can really only see myself drinking this as a cocktail. Its saltiness keeps it from being a thirst-quencher, so I won't be replacing regular lemonade or other flavored lemonades (like lavender or blueberry, which I find to be more refreshing and gentler on the palate) with it. It's definitely not a new go-to for me, but, hey, if I were served it at a bar, I wouldn't be mad at it!" — Jamie Cuccinelli, senior editor

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'It tasted like a weird sports drink'

"As a fan of all things sweet, sour, salty, and briny—and every possible combination in between—I was smitten with the idea of pickle lemonade. Unfortunately, I may have love-bombed and future-faked the trend. When I finally tried it ... meh. I was imagining something with the dynamic of sangrita (the beloved Mexican tomato and orange juice mix), but instead, it tasted like a weird sports drink. That said, I could see it being refreshing after a run. But I think I’ll stick with my go-to watermelon juice."  —Melissa Breyer, senior editorial director

'I loved the first sip'

"I loved the first sip, but as I continued to drink it, the more it just tasted like a salty sports drink. The briny flavor didn't quench my thirst as much as I had anticipated, which made me crave a large glass of water afterward to hydrate and cleanse my palate. As a pickle and lemonade lover, I was hopeful that I would enjoy this drink trend, but I don't think I will be making this one again." —Olivia McIntosh, associate editor

'I liked the garnish'

"This would be good to have after a night of heavy drinking, maybe it needed more sugar? Unsure, but I liked the garnish, it was nice. The drink was novel, but I don't know if the world is ready for pickle lemonade".  — Brandon Morabito, senior creative producer