How do you use Minute Maid frozen lemonade?
Lemonade is a classic summertime drink that’s refreshing and easy to make. But who has time to squeeze fresh lemons these days? That’s where Minute Maid frozen lemonade comes in handy. This ready-to-use product saves you time and effort while still delivering that sweet, tangy lemonade flavor we all love.
What is Minute Maid frozen lemonade?
Minute Maid frozen lemonade is a pre-made, frozen lemonade concentrate produced by The Coca-Cola Company. It comes in a 12 fluid ounce plastic tube that you keep frozen until you’re ready to use it. The concentrate contains filtered water, lemon juice concentrate, natural flavors, citric acid, and sodium benzoate as a preservative.
Some key features of Minute Maid frozen lemonade include:
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Made with real lemon juice
- Gluten-free
- Fat-free
- Kosher certified
- Shelf-stable when frozen
The frozen concentrate format allows you to prepare fresh lemonade anytime without having to squeeze lemons or make a syrup from scratch. It’s a convenient shortcut for homemade taste and quality.
How is Minute Maid frozen lemonade used?
Using Minute Maid frozen lemonade is simple. Here are the basic steps:
- Remove the tube of frozen concentrate from the freezer. Run some warm water over the tube for about 30 seconds to thaw just enough to remove the cap.
- Squeeze the contents of the tube into a 16 ounce glass.
- Add enough water to fill the glass and stir well.
- For a lighter lemonade, add more water. For stronger lemon flavor, use less water.
- Add ice cubes and enjoy!
One tube makes 8 to 12 ounces of lemonade concentrate, depending on how strong you like it. Most people dilute 1 tube with around 1 cup of water. You can adjust the water to taste preference.
Tips for making Minute Maid frozen lemonade
Here are some tips and tricks for using Minute Maid frozen lemonade:
- Adjust sweetness – If you find the lemonade too sweet, add extra water. For sweeter lemonade, use less water.
- Play with flavors – Customize your lemonade by adding muddled berries, mint, sliced citrus fruits, or juice like cranberry or pineapple.
- Make lemonade slushies – Blend the lemonade with ice for a frozen slushy-style drink.
- Mix with spirits – For a cocktail, add vodka or rum to the lemonade.
- Store tubes flat – Lay tubes flat in the freezer to prevent concentrate from settling on one end.
- Freeze any leftovers – You can freeze leftover lemonade concentrate in ice cube trays for later use.
Experiment with different mix-ins and flavors to create your own signature lemonade using the convenient Minute Maid frozen tubes.
Nutrition facts for Minute Maid frozen lemonade
Minute Maid frozen lemonade is a nutritious beverage choice. Here are the nutrition facts for a serving made with 1 tube (1.5 fl oz concentrate) diluted with 6 fl oz of water:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 70 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 25mg |
| Potassium | 60mg |
| Total Carbs | 18g |
| Sugars | 16g |
| Protein | 0g |
As you can see, a serving of diluted Minute Maid frozen lemonade contains 18 grams of carbohydrates, no fat, 70 calories, and 25 mg of sodium. It’s a low-calorie, refreshing beverage that can help hydrate on hot days.
Benefits of Minute Maid frozen lemonade
Drinking Minute Maid frozen lemonade offers several benefits:
- Convenience – No squeezing lemons or making syrup. Just thaw, mix, and enjoy fresh lemonade in minutes.
- Consistent flavor – Uniform lemon taste and sweetness in every tube.
- Versatile – Customize with different flavors or spirits for endless variety.
- Long shelf life – Keeps frozen for months when tubes are unopened.
- Quality ingredients – Made with real lemon juice concentrate and natural flavors.
- Nutritious – Provides vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants from lemons.
- Low calorie – A good way to hydrate without a lot of added sugars or calories.
Minute Maid frozen lemonade lets you chill out with a refreshing, fuss-free frozen drink any time of year.
Where to buy Minute Maid frozen lemonade
Minute Maid frozen lemonade can be purchased at most major grocery stores and mass retailers that sell frozen products. Here are some specific places you can find it:
- Grocery stores – Check the frozen juice concentrate section or freezer aisle.
- Walmart
- Target
- Costco
- Sam’s Club
- Kmart
- Dollar General
- 7-Eleven – Available seasonally in some locations.
- Gas stations/convenience stores
- Online – Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com, etc.
The most common pack sizes are 4-6 tubes per box. Look for any promotions or deals on multi-packs. Stock up on several boxes so you always have frozen lemonade ready to go for hot summer days.
How to store Minute Maid frozen lemonade
To maintain freshness and quality, be sure to store Minute Maid frozen lemonade properly:
- Keep frozen – Store unopened tubes flat in the freezer at 0°F or below.
- Check expiration date – Use by the “Best by” date printed on the box.
- Seal tubes– Push caps on tightly after each use to prevent freezer burn.
- Use quickly – Once thawed, concentrate should be used within 5-7 days.
- Avoid temperature fluctuations – Prevent thawing and re-freezing, which can degrade texture.
With proper frozen storage, Minute Maid frozen lemonade can last 8-12 months past the production date printed on the packaging. Keeping it frozen ensures you’ll always have tasty lemonade ready when those hot summer days roll around.
Troubleshooting common issues
Having trouble getting the perfect glass of Minute Maid frozen lemonade? Here are some common issues and fixes:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Lemonade tastes weak/watery | Use less water or add more concentrate. |
| Lemonade is too sweet | Dilute with more water to taste. |
| Lemonade has an “off” flavor | Check expiration date. Discard old or spoiled tubes. |
| Concentrate won’t thaw | Run tube under warm water longer or microwave 5-10 seconds. |
| Concentrate is stuck/frozen solid | Thaw slowly in refrigerator overnight. |
| Lemonade separates/gets watery | Stir or shake well before serving. |
With a few simple troubleshooting tips, you can tweak the lemonade to your perfect taste and texture.
Lemonade recipes with Minute Maid frozen lemonade
The convenience of Minute Maid frozen lemonade concentrate makes it easy to create all kinds of delicious lemonade drinks. Try these refreshing recipe ideas:
Strawberry Lemonade
- 1 tube Minute Maid frozen lemonade concentrate
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 2-3 chopped fresh mint leaves (optional)
- Lemon slices for garnish
Blend thawed lemonade concentrate, water, strawberries, and mint. Pour into glasses over ice. Garnish with lemon slices.
Peach-Raspberry Lemonade
- 1 tube Minute Maid frozen lemonade concentrate
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup peach nectar
- 1/4 cup raspberry syrup
- Fresh raspberries for garnish
Stir together lemonade concentrate, water, peach nectar and raspberry syrup. Pour over ice and garnish with fresh raspberries.
Lemonade Margarita
- 1 tube Minute Maid frozen lemonade concentrate
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup tequila
- 2 tablespoons triple sec
- Lemon wedge for rim
Blend together lemonade concentrate, water, tequila and triple sec. Wet rim of glass with lemon wedge and dip in salt. Pour margarita over ice and garnish with lemon slice.
Get creative with your own flavor combinations! Fruits, herbs, spices, juices and spirits can all enhance frozen lemonade in tasty ways.
Conclusion
Minute Maid frozen lemonade offers a quick, easy way to enjoy fresh, homemade lemonade without the mess and effort of squeezing lemons. With real lemon juice concentrate and natural flavors, it provides tart, refreshing flavor through all the warm months. Keep tubes stocked in your freezer so you can whip up cool drinks anytime thirst strikes. Customize your lemonade with different add-ins or simply pour over ice for an instant hit of summertime in a glass. So ditch the powders and mixes, and make the most of Minute Maid frozen lemonade’s convenience and flavor.