No. 86 lemonade combines the tartness of real lemon, the sweetness of simple syrup, and the depth of No. 86. A non-alcoholic summer drink that works any time of year.
What You Need
- 2 oz No. 86 Non-Alcoholic Spirit
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 2–3 oz water or soda water
- Ice
- Tall glass
- Lemon wheel to garnish
How to Make It
- Combine No. 86, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake for 8 seconds.
- Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice.
- Top with still or sparkling water — sparkling gives it more life.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel. Drink immediately.
Fresh Lemon Only
Bottled lemon juice tastes flat and slightly metallic against No. 86's oak character. Fresh lemon takes 30 seconds to squeeze and makes a drink that's noticeably brighter. One large lemon gives you roughly 1 oz of juice — the exact amount you need.
Sparkling vs Still
Still water makes a smoother, more integrated drink. Sparkling water makes it more refreshing and gives it texture. Both are correct. Sparkling is better in summer; still is better in winter when you want something that drinks more like a sour.
Batch Lemonade
Make a lemonade base: 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup simple syrup, 4 cups water. Stir and refrigerate. When serving, add 2 oz No. 86 per glass over ice and top with 4 oz of the lemonade base. Adjust sweetness to taste — some people prefer less syrup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought lemonade?
Yes, but choose one made with real lemon and not overly sweet. Newman's Own and Simply Lemonade are the better options. Homemade is better — you control the sugar and tartness level.
What ratio of No. 86 to lemonade?
1:2 is the standard — 2 oz spirit to 4 oz lemonade. Adjust based on how strong you want it. Some people go 1:3 for a longer, lighter drink.
Can I add mint or fruit?
Yes. Muddled mint adds freshness. Sliced strawberries muddled with the lemon juice adds sweetness and color. Blueberries work well too — press a few into the bottom of the glass before building the drink.
Simple done right.
No. 86 and fresh lemon — the summer ritual, without the alcohol.
→ Shop No. 86 — from $35.99
Make this recipe with No. 86 non-alcoholic spirit — built for cocktails like this one.