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    Haitian Food » Jus De Citron – Haitian Lemonade

    Jus De Citron – Haitian Lemonade

    Posted On June 15, 2020 By Mirlene Last updated February 4, 2022 16 Comments

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    Jus Citron in glass pitcher filled with mint on ice

    Jus De Citron – A trip to Haiti would be nice right now, but this refreshing Haitian Lemonade will put you in the Caribbean mood right in your own home. 

    • Juneteenth Banner

    Below in the recipe card is a complete list of talented black food bloggers who also has gathered to participate in this Juneteenth cookout. Enjoy all of the delicious dishes!

    • Haitian Jus Citron In glass pitcher with mint and lemon halves

    I’m participating in the 2020 Juneteenth Cookout Takeover. This initiative was established to encourage the celebration of Juneteenth – a jubilee of freedom to commemorate the end of slavery – and to amplify the food traditions of black culinary creatives. 

     Juneteenth (a merge of the words/date June Nineteenth) marks the date in 1865 that the last enslaved people learned of their freedom.  And for over 150 years since, Black American families, home-cooks, chefs, and culinarians have commemorated the summer holiday with a wide range of food traditions that tell a story of the perseverance of a people.

    Haitian Lemonade is a delightful twist to our classic homemade lemonade recipes found here in the states. Infused with vanilla extract, this fragrant drink can be served elegantly at a dinner party, special occasion, and is perfect to enjoy on a warm day throughout summer or all year around.

    The handcrafted drink is easy to make for guests and or to enjoy with fried plantains. 

    This jus de citron drink combines a variety of flavors into one which is nicely balanced with sweet, hint of salt to balance out the sweetness, and slightly tart all at once. 

    It is especially refreshing when the weather is warm and the glass is loaded with ice.

     Typically, the lemons are hand squeezed. But to save time I recommend using a lemon squeezer. 

    What Makes This Jus De Citron Different

    • This recipe only takes 6 ingredients and a few minutes to make.
    • The vanilla extract gives this lemonade a refreshing fragrant.
    • The sugar and salt combination provides a generous balance.
    • It is especially delicious if mint is added in the glass which also further compliment the vanilla extract. 

    Ingredient

    • Ingredients

    There’s just a handful ingredients in this Haitian lemonade recipe and it’s super easy to make. The full step-by-step instruction are found in the recipe card below. 

    • Lemon Juice in pitcher

    Here, you’ll find the photo guide as well as the list of ingredients what you’ll need to make this lemonade:

    • Jus Citron in Pitcher Closeup
    • Fresh Lemon Juice: Always use freshly squeezed lemons. This will provide with you the freshest flavor. 
    • Sugar: Alternatively, you can use honey to make it a “slightly healthy-ish”.
    • Salt: This helps to balance out the sugar. 
    • Vanilla Extract: Although vanilla extract is commonly used in baking cookies and cakes, but when used with lemon, like in this Haitian lemonade recipe, the vanilla extract will help to bring out the bitter/tart acidic flavor. 
    • Water: You’ll need the water to dilute the extra fresh flavor from the lemon. Plus, this help you make the drink in abundance. 
    • Ice: Can’t forget the ice! It’s needed to chill the lemonade for that uber refreshing sip and it will also help balance the sugar intake as it will help water down the lemonade.

    More Refreshing Drinks You’ll Love

    Orange Infused Water

    Blueberry Milkshake

    Serving Suggestions

    This lemonade is a satisfying drink on its own, but it goes well with all sorts of main dishes and sides, too. Some of our favorites are listed below:

    Haitian Meatballs

    Haitian Legume

    Haitian Chicken Tacos

    By the way, it warms our hearts to see the recipes you make from this site, and we’d especially would love to know if you tried this recipe.

    Tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your beautiful dish.

    • Haitian Lemonade in pitcher on top of tray with glass

    Also, we would appreciate if could give it a star rating below!

    Lemonade in pitcher over ice on a blue tray

    Jus De Citron (Haitian Lemondade)

    Savory Thoughts
    Learn how to make the best Haitian lemonade (jus de citron) recipe in minutes. Perfect for the summer and to be enjoyed year around.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 2 mins
    Total Time 7 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Caribbean, Haitian
    Servings 4 People
    Calories 316 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 Lemon Cut in halves
    • 3 Cups Water
    • 1 Cup Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
    • Ice
    • Mint Optional

    Instructions
     

    • Wash and cut the lemon in half.
    • In a pitcher, add squeeze the lemons to release the juices into the pitcher. Then add the water, sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Stir well.
    • Add ice if serving right away or chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
    • Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired. Serve and Enjoy!

    Notes

    • If you find the juice to be too sweet, add ½ cup water to reduce the sweetness.
    • The mint is optional, but it does bring some freshness to the drink. 
     

    Juneteenth Black Blogger Participants: 

    A Girl Called Adri | Blackened Catfish
    Beautiful Eats & Things | Spiced Grilled Peaches
    Black Girls Who Brunch | Brown Butter Sweet Potato Cake
    Brazilian Kitchen Abroad | Brazilian Collard Greens with Bacon
    Britney Breaks Bread | Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Sour Cream and Honey Sauce
    Brownbelle | Watermelon Hibiscus Whiskey Smash
    Butter Be Ready | Chicken and Waffles
    Chef and Steward | Watermelon and Feta Salad
    Chef Curl Ardee | Honey and Butter Cornbread
    Chenée Today | Lemon Icebox Pie
    Christy Irene | Crawfish Etoufee
    Collards Are The Old Kale | Guaymas Shrimp
    Confessions of a clean foodie | Mint Peach Spritzer
    Cooking to a T Jamaican | Beef Patties
    Cooks with Soul | BBQ in Jar
    Dash of Jazz | Golden Pineapple Pound Cake
    Dish It With Tisha | Honey Jerk Shrimp
    DMR Fine Foods | Blackberry Ginger Soda
    Dom N’ The City | Pound Cake
    Domestic Dee | Easy Berry Fruit Salad
    Dude That Cookz | Cajun White Beans
    Erique Berry Co | Three Green Summer Salad
    Ethically Living | Vegan Jackfruit Jamaican Patties
    Food Fidelity | Nigerian Beef Suya Skewers
    Food Is Love Made Edible | Smothered Okra with Chicken & Sausage
    FoodLoveTog | Braised Cabbage & Johnny cakes
    Forks and Straws | Cassava Corn Waffles with Shrimp Creole
    Geo’s Table | Curried Potato Salad
    Gristle & Gossip | Sweet Potato Honey Cornbread Cake
    Heal Me Delicious | Trinidadian Callaloo
    Immaculate Ruému | Chin-Chin
    Jamieson Diaries | Crockpot Smoked Red Beans
     
    Kenneth Temple | Red Velvet Biscuit with BBQ Brisket
    Kenya Rae | Pork free baked beans
    Lenox Bakery | Sweet Potato Cheesecake
    Maple Points | Peas & Rice – Guyanese Style
    Marisa Moore Nutrition | Fresh Peach Iced Tea
    Meiko and the Dish | Strawberry Cornbread Skillet Cobbler
    Murielle Banackissa | Vegan Saka Saka (Congolese Cassava Leaf & Spinach Stew)
    My Fabulous Food | Black eye peas with smoked turkey
    Nik Snacks | Easy BBQ Pork Ribs
    On Ty’s Plate | Watermelon Limeade
    Open Invitation Entertainment | Coconut Collard Greens
    Orchids + Sweet Tea | The Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese
    Our Perfect Palette | Jollof Rice
    Peaches 2 Peaches | Vanilla Cake With Caramel Poached Pears
    Pink Owl Kitchen | Strawberry Buttermilk Biscuits
    Razzle Dazzle Life | Southern Peach Cobbler
    Rosalynn Daniels | Southern Tomato Pie
    Savor and Sage | Black-Eyed Pea Salad
    Seasoned To Taste | Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs
    Sense & Edibility | Blackberry Cobbler
    Simply LaKita | Candied Yams
    Slice & Torte | Fried Softshell Crab
    Slight Kitchen Werk | Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
    Sweet & Sorrel | Baked Jerk Chicken
    Sweet Savant | Black Eyed Peas and Sweet Potato Salad
    That Green Lyfe | Vegan Red Red Stew (Spicy Ghanaian Black-Eyed Peas) and Plantain
    The Dana Renee Way | Sweet Potato Cornbread
    The Hangry Woman | Jamaican Jerk Wings
    The Hungry Hutch | Southern-Style Sweet Tea
    The Kitchenista Diaries | Grilled Lemon Pepper Wings
    The Vgn Way | Juneteenth Hibiscus Strawberry Vegan Ice Cream
    This Worthey Life | Strawberry Soda
    This African Cooks | Ghanaian kebabs Whole30 style
    Vegan With Curves | Slow Cooker Black Eyed Pea Sweet Potato Soup
    Whisk it Real Gud | Southern Sweet Potato Pi

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4PeopleCalories: 316kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 21gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 128mgPotassium: 366mgSugar: 50gVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 7mg
    Making this recipe?Mention @MSavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
    « Orange Infused Water
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle

      September 26, 2022 at 11:40 pm

      Can we add fresh strawberries?

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        September 27, 2022 at 8:07 pm

        Absolutely! It will change the taste slightly but it will taste delicious. Please let me know how it turns out for you.

        Reply
    2. Tara

      August 06, 2020 at 6:19 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this today and it turned out perfectly! So good with the vanilla.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        August 07, 2020 at 12:59 am

        Thank you so much, Tara. I am so glad you liked it. The vanilla is a good twist. Thank you for trying it 🙂

        Reply
    3. JudyP

      June 19, 2020 at 9:34 pm

      This is an incredibly delicious refreshing drink!! Thanks for releasing so we can enjoy a taste of this culture!!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        June 20, 2020 at 3:38 am

        Thank you so much. I hope you like it. Thanks for reading!

        Reply
    4. veenaazmanov

      June 17, 2020 at 1:03 pm

      5 stars
      Lemon is one of my favorite flavor and this drink is so refreshing and best summer option too.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        June 17, 2020 at 5:12 pm

        Mine too. Thank you

        Reply
    5. Alexandria

      June 17, 2020 at 1:03 pm

      5 stars
      All of your Haitian recipes look fantastic! I will be trying this for sure. Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        June 17, 2020 at 5:13 pm

        Thank you, Alexandria 🙂

        Reply
    6. Toni

      June 17, 2020 at 12:40 pm

      5 stars
      I love how refreshing this is!! So easy to make, too! Perfect!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        June 17, 2020 at 5:13 pm

        Thank you, Toni!

        Reply
    7. Adrianne

      June 17, 2020 at 11:19 am

      5 stars
      I totally want to be in the carribean mood at home, this is making me thirsty!! Love everything about it, how thirst quenching it looks and I can’t wait to try it. Cheers

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        June 17, 2020 at 5:22 pm

        Cheers to you and thank you, Adrianne!

        Reply
    8. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry

      June 17, 2020 at 10:46 am

      5 stars
      This drink sounds so flavourful and refreshing! Perfect for having a jug of it whilst sitting in the garden this summer.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        June 17, 2020 at 5:23 pm

        YES!!! that sounds great right now. Thank you, Bintu!

        Reply

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