Red lemonade

Red lemonade
TK red lemonade
TypeLemonade
OriginIreland
ColourRed
Related productsBrown lemonade

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

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

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

See also

References

  1. ↑ "red lemonade". www.foclóir.ie. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  2. 1 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. 1 2 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.