Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 13, 2026

Red lemonade

Red lemonade (Irish: líomanáid dhearg) is an Irish soft drink that is considered a distinct part of its cultural identity and cuisine.

Last revised
Jun 13, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
615 w
Citations
19
Source
Red lemonade
TypeLemonade
OriginIreland
ColourRed
Related productsBrown lemonade

Red lemonade (Irish: líomanáid dhearg)1 is an Irish soft drink that is considered a distinct part of its cultural identity and cuisine.234

Lemonade in Ireland traditionally comes in three varieties – red, brown and white.5 All three are lemon-flavoured, but there is a marked difference in taste between the varieties.6 Red lemonade is particularly associated with festive occasions,78 but can also be a folk remedy.9

Red lemonade is drunk on its own and is also served as a mixer with spirits in Ireland, particularly in whiskey.1011 Major brands of red lemonade include TK (formerly Taylor Keith), Country Spring, Finches, Nash's, Maine, and C&C.51213 There was an urban myth that red lemonade had been banned in the rest of Europe,21415 but in fact regulators had simply banned a carcinogenic dye.1617

See also

See also

References

References

  1. "red lemonade". www.foclóir.ie. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  2. Dunworth, Ali (17 November 2025). "Football Special, Tanora, Cidona, TK lemonade – Irish fizzy drinks are having a revival". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 16 December 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  3. Freyne, Patrick (3 December 2017). "'I'm a cultural culchie, baptised in red lemonade and raised by bullocks'". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 17 November 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  4. "Red Lemonade And The Taste Of Childhood". Gill Books. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  5. McNamara, Brinsley (6 November 2024). "Football Special, Brown Lemonade and Cavan Cola – the inside story of Ireland's booming minerals trade". Archived from the original on 6 November 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  6. O'Malley, Riva (7 October 2025). "Red Lemonade - Ireland's legendary soft drink". www.blackcastledrinks.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  7. McDonnell, Ciara (23 December 2020). "'A bottle of red lemonade for the children and a glass of whiskey for Daddy'". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  8. O'Kelly, Sheila (7 July 2017). "Picnics of yore: red lemonade, crisps and an apple or two stolen from the orchard". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 8 October 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  9. McGuire, Peter (10 February 2015). "We know there's no cure for colds. But let's try anyway". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  10. Graham, Lester (16 March 2021). "A riff on Ireland's whiskey and red lemonade". Michigan Public. Archived from the original on 13 January 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  11. "Mixers: red lemonade". www.liquidirish.com.
  12. "Findus Crispy Pancakes and red lemonade - Remember the old-school treats that actually made us happy?". Irish Independent. 27 August 2018. Archived from the original on 6 April 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  13. "Cantrell: Our Brands: TK Soft Drinks. Brand story". Cantrell & Cochrane. Archived from the original on 27 August 2006.
  14. McElwain, Aoife (3 August 2016). "Forbidden foods: why they taste so delicious". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 17 June 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  15. Elkin, David (4 August 2015). "Red lemonade isn't banned everywhere but Ireland - that's an urban myth". The Daily Edge. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  16. Elkin, David (5 August 2015). "Red lemonade isn't banned everywhere but Ireland – that's an urban myth". uk.news.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  17. Bielenberg, Kim (25 April 2000). "Straight bananas: How Euromyths bend the truth". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
External links