Chick-fil-A Lemonade

Chick-fil-A Lemonade – Price, Nutrition & Why It’s Made Fresh Daily

by

Price: Small $2.59 | Medium $2.99 | Large $3.49
Category: Drinks
Calories: Small 220 | Medium 270 | Large 390

Chick-fil-A Lemonade is legendary. Made fresh daily with real lemons, pure cane sugar, and water, this isn’t your typical fast-food fountain drink. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart that keeps customers coming back.

Chick-fil-A fresh squeezed lemonade

What Makes It Special

Unlike competitors who use lemonade concentrate or powdered mixes, Chick-fil-A makes their lemonade fresh in each restaurant daily using real Sunkist® lemons.

According to Chick-fil-A, each restaurant squeezes fresh lemons every single day. The simple recipe – lemons, sugar, water – creates that authentic, homemade taste.

Why it’s different:

  • Real lemon juice (not from concentrate)
  • Made fresh daily in-restaurant
  • Pure cane sugar (not high fructose corn syrup)
  • No artificial flavors or colors
  • Hand-squeezed quality

Sizes & Prices

Small (14 oz): $2.59

  • 220 calories
  • Perfect single serving

Medium (20 oz): $2.99

  • 270 calories
  • Most popular size

Large (32 oz): $3.49

  • 390 calories
  • Great for sharing

Prices vary by location. Check our complete menu for details.

Nutrition Information

Small:

  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 55g
  • Carbohydrates: 58g
  • Sodium: 10mg
  • Vitamin C: 50% daily value

Medium:

  • Calories: 270
  • Sugar: 67g
  • Carbohydrates: 71g
  • Sodium: 15mg
  • Vitamin C: 60% daily value

Large:

  • Calories: 390
  • Sugar: 97g
  • Carbohydrates: 103g
  • Sodium: 20mg
  • Vitamin C: 90% daily value

Ingredients: Water, lemon juice, sugar. That’s it!

Data from Chick-fil-A nutrition guide and USDA.

Diet Lemonade Option

Want fewer calories? Try Diet Lemonade:

  • Small: 50 calories (vs. 220)
  • Medium: 80 calories (vs. 270)
  • Large: 120 calories (vs. 390)

Made with Splenda® instead of sugar. Same fresh lemon taste with fewer calories.

How It’s Made

According to Food Network, here’s Chick-fil-A’s process:

  1. Fresh Sunkist® lemons delivered to each restaurant
  2. Lemons hand-squeezed daily
  3. Mixed with pure cane sugar and water
  4. Made in small batches throughout the day
  5. Served over ice

Quality control: Each batch is tasted to ensure consistency. If it doesn’t meet standards, it’s remade.

Perfect Pairings

Lemonade goes with everything on the menu:

Best Combinations:

Hot day essential: Lemonade is THE drink for summer meals.

Lemonade vs. Other Drinks

vs. Sweet Tea:

  • Lemonade: Tangy, refreshing
  • Tea: Smooth, traditional
  • Both made fresh daily

vs. Soft Drinks:

  • Lemonade: Real ingredients
  • Sodas: Artificial flavors
  • Lemonade: Made in-house
  • Sodas: Fountain syrup

vs. Frosted Lemonade:

  • Regular: Light, refreshing
  • Frosted: Dessert-like treat
  • Regular: 220-390 cal
  • Frosted: 320 cal

See all drink options on our menu.

Seasonal Availability

Available year-round at all locations, but:

  • Most popular in summer months
  • Some locations run out during peak times
  • Always made fresh – if they’re out, they’re making more

Pro tip: If they’re making a fresh batch, it might take 10 minutes. It’s worth the wait!

Why It Tastes Different

Real lemon juice: According to the USDA, real lemon juice contains vitamin C and natural citric acid that powders can’t replicate.

Sugar vs. HFCS: Pure cane sugar provides cleaner sweetness than high fructose corn syrup.

Fresh daily: Unlike premade drinks that sit for days, each batch is hours old at most.

Proper ratio: The lemon-to-sugar ratio is carefully controlled for consistency.

Ordering Tips

Fresh batch: Visit during peak hours (lunch/dinner) for the freshest lemonade

Less sweet? Ask for light ice to get more lemonade, then add water

Extra tart? Some locations will add extra lemon juice if you ask

Half & Half: Can’t choose? Get half lemonade, half iced tea (Arnold Palmer style)

Use the app: Order through Chick-fil-A One and skip the line

Popular Combinations

Refreshing Meal:

Classic Combo:

Kid’s Meal:

Health Considerations

Sugar content: A large has 97g sugar – that’s a lot!

Better choices for diabetics:

  • Diet Lemonade (only 120 cal for large)
  • Unsweetened Tea
  • Water

Vitamin C: One medium provides 60% daily vitamin C

Natural ingredients: No artificial anything, which some people prefer

For complete drink nutrition, see our nutrition guide.

Fun Facts

Lemon usage: According to Business Insider, Chick-fil-A uses millions of lemons annually across all locations.

Consistency: Despite being made in 3,000+ locations, the taste is remarkably consistent due to strict recipes and training.

Customer favorite: Ranks as one of the top-ordered drinks at Chick-fil-A, competing with Sweet Tea for #1.

At-Home Recipe

Want to make it at home? Here’s the basic approach:

Ingredients:

  • 8 lemons (juiced)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 7 cups cold water

Directions:

  1. Mix sugar with 1 cup hot water until dissolved
  2. Add lemon juice and remaining cold water
  3. Stir well and serve over ice

Note: Chick-fil-A’s exact recipe is proprietary, but this gets close!

Storage & Freshness

At the restaurant: Lemonade is used within hours of making

At home: If you buy a large to-go:

  • Drink within 24 hours
  • Store in refrigerator
  • Stir before drinking (ingredients separate)
  • Don’t leave in hot car

Ice matters: Fresh ice makes a huge difference in taste

Customer Reviews

Common praise:

  • “Tastes like homemade lemonade”
  • “Not too sweet, not too tart”
  • “So refreshing on a hot day”
  • “You can taste the real lemons”
  • “Worth every penny”

According to Taste of Home, Chick-fil-A Lemonade consistently ranks as one of the best fast-food beverages.

Rewards Points

Order through Chick-fil-A One:

  • Small earns ~26 points
  • Medium earns ~30 points
  • Large earns ~35 points

Every 10 points = $1 spent

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it really made fresh daily? A: Yes! Every location makes it fresh each day.

Q: Can I get it with less sugar? A: Try Diet Lemonade, or ask for half lemonade, half water.

Q: Is it gluten-free and vegan? A: Yes to both! Just lemons, sugar, and water.

Q: Why does it taste better than store-bought? A: Real lemon juice and fresh preparation make all the difference.

Q: Can I buy it by the gallon? A: Some locations offer gallon jugs – ask your local restaurant.

Q: How many lemons in each drink? A: Chick-fil-A doesn’t disclose exact amounts, but it’s real lemon juice in every sip.

The Bottom Line

At $2.59-$3.49, Chick-fil-A Lemonade delivers premium quality for the price. Made fresh daily with real lemons and pure cane sugar, it’s a refreshing alternative to typical fast-food drinks.

Whether you’re cooling down after a Spicy Chicken Sandwich or just want something refreshing, this lemonade hits the spot every time.

Try These Next:

More Info:

Disclaimer: Prices vary by location. Not affiliated with Chick-fil-A, Inc.

Last updated: February 2026

Robert Riggs
Latest posts by Robert Riggs (see all)

Leave a Comment