A cross between a milkshake and lemonade, this Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade is just the thing to get you through the hottest days of summer. This Chick-fil-A copycat recipe comes together in minutes so it’s perfect for pool days – and 100% kid-approved too!
Copycat Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade Recipe
Once you try this frosted lemonade recipe (and especially if you share it with the kids!), it may become the most requested drink of the summer. It’s refreshing and thirst-quenching while still being sweet and creamy, so it feels a bit like drinking dessert. I can’t think of a better kid-friendly drink for enjoying by the pool!
What Is Frosted Lemonade?
Frosted lemonade is a refreshing drink that’s a cross between regular lemonade and a vanilla milkshake. It’s made with lemon juice or lemonade and vanilla ice cream and was made popular by Chick-fil-A a few years back.
The citrus lightens up the vanilla ice cream and ice water is also added to thin it out a bit, giving it a texture that’s thinner than most milkshakes but thick enough you can still enjoy it with a spoon if desired.
Ingredients Needed:
Frosted lemonade is made with just 3 ingredients, plus water.
(Scroll to the bottom for our easy printable recipe with the complete directions.)
- Lemon juice – Instead of using lemonade, I like to use freshly squeezed lemon juice to make my frosted lemonade.
- Sugar – Since we’re using lemon juice instead of a lemonade mix, sugar is added to balance out the tart citrus.
- Vanilla ice cream – Any brand will do, though one with a softer texture is ideal.
- Water – It is essential that the water is ICE COLD. To do this, I usually add ice cubes to the water, let it sit for several minutes, then remove the ice cubes before adding the water to the drink.
- Sliced lemons – For garnish.
Recipe Variations:
Here are a few ways to customize your frosted lemonade!
- Use lemon concentrate. Instead of freshly squeezed lemon juice and sugar, you can make this with frozen lemon concentrate and vanilla ice cream.
- Swap the ice cream for yogurt. Use frozen vanilla yogurt instead of ice cream and add some extra sugar. The yogurt gives it a bit more tang, plus is a bit healthier than ice cream.
- Use lemonade. Instead of freshly squeezed lemon juice and sugar, try a bottled lemonade like Sunkist or Simply Lemonade. For an interesting twist, try it with the flavored versions like Simply Raspberry Lemonade.
- Switch up the citrus. Try lime-flavored frosted lemonade by using freshly squeezed limes or give it an orange flavor with orange juice.
- Make it boozy. Add your favorite liquor, like lemon vodka or rum. Jack Daniels could also be interesting, similar to a Lynchburg Lemonade recipe.
How to Make Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade
Here’s how to make this super easy Chick-fil-A copycat.
(Scroll to the bottom for our easy printable recipe with the complete directions.)
- Make the lemonade. Blend the lemon juice and sugar until the sugar fully dissolves. Add in the ice-cold water.
- Add the ice cream. Blend in the ice cream until smooth.
- Enjoy. Divide into glasses, garnish with slices of lemon, and enjoy immediately.
Serving Suggestions:
Ideally, you’ll serve this drink immediately, but if you don’t need all of it right away, you can freeze it for a few hours. You’ll then need to thaw it a bit or blend in some extra ice cream before serving, to get it back to a milkshake-like consistency.
Since this frosted lemonade recipe has a bit of a thick, milkshake-like texture, it can be enjoyed with a spoon or a straw. I always add some fresh lemon slices to the top for a pop of color. This lemonade milkshake is perfect for enjoying poolside in the summer!
More Recipe Suggestions:
Tropical Strawberry Punch (non-alcoholic)
Strawberry Lemonade Aperol Margarita
Pineapple Layer Cake with Whipped Cream Frosting
White Chocolate Blueberry Cupcakes
Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups ICE COLD water see note
- 6 cups vanilla ice cream about 12 scoops
- sliced lemons for garnish
Instructions
- Pour lemon juice and sugar into a blender. Give it a whirl until sugar fully dissolves. Then add in the ice-cold water to dilute and chill.
- Add in the ice cream, blend until combined and smooth.
- Divide mixture among 3 glasses.
- Garnish with slices of lemon and enjoy immediately with a straw or spoon.
Notes:
- Ice cold water. To make ice cold water, chill water with ice cubes for several minutes, then discard the ice.
- Use lemon concentrate or lemonade. Instead of freshly squeezed lemon juice and sugar, you can make this with frozen lemon concentrate and vanilla ice cream. Another option is instead of freshly squeezed lemon juice and sugar, try a bottled lemonade like Sunkist or Simply Lemonade. For an interesting twist, try it with the flavored versions like Simply Raspberry Lemonade.
- Make it boozy. Add your favorite liquor, like lemon vodka or rum. Jack Daniels could also be interesting, similar to a Lynchburg Lemonade recipe.
