Discover how to make this refreshing green lemonade at home with simple ingredients like celery, apple, lemon, and greens. This easy green juice recipe is perfect for beginners or those looking for an affordable alternative to store-bought pressed juices.
So let’s talk juice, specifically fresh green juice. Maybe you never got on the juicing trend years ago, or maybe you did but quit because you couldn’t justify the expense of buying fresh pressed juice then this green juice is for you.
Everyone needs a good basic green juice recipe and my green lemonade is a great one to start with whether you’re new to juicing or have always love a fresh pressed juice but are fed up with the cost of store-bought juices. With just a handful of fresh ingredients and a juicer (or blender) you can make your own fresh pressed juice easily at home.
Why Juice?
Over the years the hype over juicing has died down. People realized that it wasn’t a panacea and it wasn’t going to be the answer to their every health concern, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t still have value and serve a purpose in a healthy diet.
- Let’s say you aren’t much of a breakfast person but want to get in some fruits and vegetables in the morning to start the day off right, a green juice can be a good choice.
- Or maybe despite your best efforts you’re struggling to get enough servings of fruit and vegetables in a day, a green juice can help meet your goals.
- And when you’re feeling under the weather and struggling to eat a real meal, a green juice is an easy way to get in some much needed hydration and nutrition in a form that’s easy to digest.
This green lemonade is my go-to green juice. It’s light and refreshing with a sweet/tart flavor reminiscent of lemonade thanks to the addition of green apple and lemon. It’s an approachable green juice that can be customized to suit your preferences. And if you don’t have a juicer you can also make it in a blender. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredient Notes:
(Here are a few notes about the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe. As always find the full list of ingredients and directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- Celery – I like the mild flavor of celery in my green juices but you can also use cucumber.
- Greens – I use a combination of romaine and a darker green like spinach and/or kale. The romaine is mild in flavor and tames the more assertive nature of the darker greens.
- Apple – Granny smith apples are the best, along with lemon they create that lemonade-like flavor.
- Lemon – Make sure to completely remove the peel and pith before using otherwise your juice will be bitter.
How to Make Green Lemonade:
(Here are the basic steps and some helpful tips on how to make the recipe. Find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
In the Juicer:
- If you are using a juice simply run the ingredients through the juicer and serve chilled.
In the Blender:
- If you are using a blender place all of the ingredients into the blender along with water and ice blend until smooth.
- If you’d like to drink the green lemonade as a smoothie serve immediately.
- If you’d prefer a juice then pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and press firmly on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Serve juice over ice.
Variations:
- Use cucumber in addition or instead of the celery.
- Use either spinach or kale for your leafy green or omit and simply use romaine for a milder juice.
- Add a handful of parsley for extra green.
- Use another sweet/tart apple.
- Add a small piece of fresh ginger for ginger lemonade.
More Juice Recipes:
Green Lemonade
Discover how to make this refreshing green lemonade with simple ingredients like celery, apple, lemon, and greens. Perfect for beginners!
Ingredients
- 2 green apples, cored and quartered
- 2 lemons, peel and pith removed
- 2 ounces/56g baby spinach or kale
- 1 heart of romaine lettuce
- 4 medium stalks of celery
Instructions
Juicer:
- Pass all the ingredients through the juicer. Serve immediately over ice or store in a glass container in the fridge for up to one day.
Blender:
- Place all the ingredients in the blender along with 1 cup of water and 1 cup of ice. Blend until smooth.
- Serve as a smoothie or pass mixture through a fine mesh strainer to serve as a juice.
Notes
Variations:
- Use cucumber in addition or instead of the celery.
- Use either spinach or kale for your leafy green or omit and simply use romaine for a milder juice.
- Add a handful of parsley for extra green.
- Use another sweet/tart apple.
- Add a small piece of fresh ginger for ginger lemonade.
Storage:
Storage Juice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one day. Shake before drinking.
Dietary Info:
Gluten Free, Grain Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Refined-Sugar Free, Paleo
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 160Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 106mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 10gSugar: 23gProtein: 4g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Nancy@acommunaltable says
This juice sounds SO good and refreshing!
Wenderly says
What a GORGEOUS green lemonade Sylvie! Cheers!
Alyssa says
This juice looks absolutely amazing! I still haven't purchased a juicer yet, but make green smoothies daily. I will have to try this combo!
Are you aware of the added benefits of juicing vs. drinking smoothies? Just curious if it's worth the investment!
Cheers,
Alyssa
Sylvie says
Juicing extracts only the juice of the fruits and vegetables, while a smoothie includes the fiber and pulp, so there are a few differences between the two. Juicing allows for faster absorption of nutrients. Because there's no fiber, juices are a concentrated and readily absorbed source of vitamins and minerals. Removing fiber also means that there's less digestive work needed to process the food.
Because smoothies contain fiber, they are more slowly absorbed into the blood stream and your blood sugar levels remain stable and you will feel fuller longer. You can also add protein to a smoothie, making it a more balanced meal replacement. The fiber in smoothies also helps keep your digestive tract moving and feeds the good bacteria in your gut.
So to answer your question, I think they both have their place in a healthy diet.
Alyssa says
Sylvie, thank you for the detailed and thoughtful response. I can see now why many people juice over drinking smoothies. I've always been a smoothie fan and felt like they were extremely nutritious and filling, but the world of juicing is becoming ever more enticing.
For a novice juicer like myself, do you recommend going out and purchasing one of the top of line machines, like a Breville or Omega juicer? Or do you know if there are other models that work well but aren't as large of an investment? I definitely would love to start exploring the wonderful juice recipes I have stumbled across!
Thanks again for your help. It's much appreciated!
Alyssa
Sylvie says
Hi Alyssa,
There are two main kinds of juicers: centrifugal juicers and masticating juicers.
Centrifugal juicers are the most common, and in general, the most affordable. The food is pushed into a mesh chamber with a sharp rapidly spinning blade on the bottom. Centrifugal juicers work best with soft and hard fruits and vegetables, but not as well with leafy greens like kale or spinach, or wheatgrass.
Masticating juicers are generally the more expensive type of juicer. These juicers use a low speed powerful motor to thoroughly press out the juice. Because of the slow crushing and squeezing, masticating juicers can better process leafy greens and wheatgrass, and the juice produced will last longer than juice made in a centrifugal juicer, which should be consumed right away as it starts losing nutrients fairly quickly.
There are definitely quite a few options for you in the category of centrifugal juicers that would be around $100. This Jack LaLanne Juicer is less than $100 for example. I suggest you choose the juicer that will best juice the types of fruits and vegetables that you are most interested in using.
Julie M. says
Simple yet delicious. A lovely recipe and beautiful snaps as always!
Suzi says
That juice is a beauty. I get on these juice kicks and then I put away the juicer to make room in the kitchen and then forget about it for awhile. This would be nice at lunch. Thanks!
Jackie @ marin mama cooks says
I love green drinks/smoothies and this one looks beautiful and so fresh. I can almost taste the tartness of the lemon and apple combination. Yum!
I tend to have a kale smoothie every other day. It's a convenient and healthy on-the-go lunch.
BTW, your pictures are gallery worthy. WOW!
Maria says
I want to try this. Love the color!
TidyMom says
stunning Sylvie! and sounds delicious!
Katrina @In Katrina's Kitchen says
And suddenly I need a juicer! Wow this looks fabulous!
Roxana GreenGirl says
I love the green color! And the addition f the fennel. Delicious idea Sylvie!