Grownup Lemonade Stands Are the Easiest Way to Impress Guests at Your Next Summer Get-Together

Published on July 19, 2025

If you've ever heard of "dirty sodas" or of the beverage chain Swig, you know the difference a few pumps of sugary syrup can make in a drink. While many people are familiar with creating custom sodas by adding mixers and fresh fruit, lemonade bars are less widely known. A similar concept, lemonade bars allow for mixing and pouring flavors until everyone has their perfect, refreshing sip.

Summer is the time for family reunions, backyard barbecues, and outdoor movie nights—AKA the perfect moment to set up a lemonade station that keeps everyone cool during festivities.

How to Set Up a Lemonade Bar

Everyone knows how stressful event planning (no matter how big the event is) can be, and lemonade drink bars are here to make it simple. One of the best aspects of lemonade bars is how easily they can be put together. With a few ingredients, you can have a create-your-own-lemonade station ready for your next summer cookout or pool day.

1. Prepare Lemonade and Add-ins

It wouldn't be a lemonade bar without lemonade. Make fresh lemonade with lemons and sugar, or keep it easy and use a store-bought powder mix. Either way, prepare a big batch of yellow lemonade and place it in a large drink dispenser.

Once your base is prepped, wash and organize all of the drink add-in options. We recommend offering a variety of fruits, such as berries, limes, and cherries. You can also add fresh herbs like mint and basil to infuse into the drinks.

2. Pick Flavors

The ability to customize and add flavors is what makes lemonade bars so fun, so don't be shy when setting out syrup flavors. Stock up on your favorite flavor combos, making sure to include fruity, sweet, and even syrups with a little kick. Consider buying bottles with pumps so guests don't have to worry about unscrewing lids and pouring the syrups in their drinks.

In addition to flavored syrups, you can also add offer juices, soda, sparkling water, and coconut milk to suit all kinds of taste buds.

3. Set Your Table

Set up your lemonade station just as you would any other buffet. Place cups, straws, and a container of ice next to your lemonade dispenser, followed by a lineup of syrup bottles, juices, and milks. Lastly, place the fruit and herb options at the end so guests can garnish their drink before sipping.

Create decorative labels for each syrup and mix-in if you're following a special theme or want to make the setup more personalized.