Keto Lemonade Popsicles
Published July 11, 2020 • Updated March 3, 2026
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These lemonade popsicles are a refreshing summertime treat on a hot sunny day. These ice pops are kid approved and sugar-free too!
Ingredients
1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 6 large lemons) -
4 cups of water
-
1/2 to ¾ c confectioners Swerve or use sweetener of choice
-
two pinches of salt
Step by Step Instructions
Step by Step Instructions
Squeeze citrus
Using a juicer or a citrus squeezer, squeeze the juice out of the lemons until you have 1 cup of freshly squeezed juice. It will take around 6 large lemons to get 1 cup of juice.
Strain it
Strain out lemon seeds and pulp by pouring the freshly squeezed lemon juice through a strainer.
Stir in the sweet
Stir in water and confectioner’s Swerve. Add in two pinches of salt and mix until combined.
Nutrition disclaimer
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.
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Get My Macros + Recipes →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of freshly squeezed?
While freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the best flavor, you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch. Just make sure it's 100% lemon juice without added sugars.
What can I substitute for Swerve if I don’t have it?
You can substitute Swerve with any other sugar-free sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit sweetener. Just adjust the amount to taste, as some sweeteners can be sweeter than others.
How long do these popsicles take to freeze?
These popsicles typically take about 4-6 hours to freeze completely. For best results, it's a good idea to let them freeze overnight.
How should I store leftover popsicles?
Store leftover popsicles in an airtight container in the freezer. This will help prevent freezer burn and keep them fresh for up to a month.
Are these popsicles suitable for kids?
Absolutely! These lemonade popsicles are sugar-free and kid-approved, making them a great treat for children on hot days.
I've gone through probably six different keto popsicle recipes trying to find one that actually tastes like lemonade instead of lemon-flavored sadness, and this is it. Freshly squeezed juice is non-negotiable (tried bottled once, never again). The confectioners Swerve dissolves way cleaner than granular in cold liquid. Two pinches of salt seemed fussy at first, but it kills the bitterness somehow. Batch two is already in the freezer.
One thing I figured out after my first batch: the Swerve amount matters more than you'd think, and the window between 1/2 and 3/4 cup is not small. I taste the lemonade before it goes into the molds and adjust because under-sweetened is hard to fix once frozen. The two pinches of salt are not optional. I skipped them once thinking it was minor and the whole batch tasted flat, just lemon water on a stick. For unmolding, run warm water over the outside of the mold for about 15 seconds and they slide out clean every time. One addition worth making: stir in the zest of two lemons before pouring into the molds. It takes these from fine to something that actually tastes like lemonade. Already have a batch in the freezer waiting for when the weather actually commits to spring.
Tried a few keto lemonade popsicle recipes and they all taste like sweetened lemon water. Squeezing fresh lemons makes a bigger difference than I expected, and the two pinches of salt keep it from falling flat. Finally one that actually tastes like lemonade.
The salt was almost an afterthought in testing. Tried a batch without it and it just read tart. Nothing like lemonade.
Made these in the middle of February because my daughter was home sick and kept asking for something cold and sour. The lemon flavor is actually really good, bright and citrusy even in winter. Start with 1/2 cup of Swerve and taste before you pour into the molds -- I went with the full 3/4 cup and they came out too sweet once frozen (didn't realize sweetness changes when cold). Also give them the full overnight. I tried at six hours and the centers were still soft. Worth knowing if you're new to this. Recipe is solid. Already planning a bigger batch when it actually warms up.
The sweetness shift once frozen catches everyone. I land around 2/3 cup too. Six hours just doesn't get the centers.
I swapped out half the lemon juice for fresh lime juice (about 3 lemons, 3 limes) and bumped the Swerve up just a touch, and these turned into something closer to a limeade-lemonade situation that I cannot stop thinking about. The tartness balance is just different with the lime in there, brighter somehow. I've made the original version twice this summer and liked it, but this combo is where I'm staying. One thing I figured out: if you run warm water over the outside of the mold for about 20 seconds before you try to pull them, they slide out perfectly without breaking. Lost two popsicles to impatient pulling before I figured that out.
20 seconds of warm water is the move. I used to run mine under too long and they'd start melting before I got them out. The lime-lemon split sounds like it's actually better than the original.
My kids asked for more before I even got the first batch out of the freezer.
Ha, that's the best kind of problem to have. I keep a double batch in the freezer now for exactly that reason.