How to Make a Lynchburg Lemonade: Tennessee Whiskey, Triple Sec and Lemon
Lynchburg Lemonade recipe from Thomas: exact measurements, a simple method and the best whisky to use.

The Lynchburg Lemonade is Jack Daniel’s, triple sec, lemon and lemonade, and it’s the kind of drink that’s better than its reputation. This Lynchburg Lemonade recipe uses fresh lemon, not sour mix, and that makes all the difference.
Sour mix is the enemy. It’s what turned a good summer drink into something people only order at a bad bar. Skip it and you get something bright, sharp and very drinkable.
1
serving3
minutesTennessee whiskey, triple sec, fresh lemon juice and lemonade over ice. Bright, sweet-sour and very easy.
Ingredients
45 ml (1½ oz) Tennessee whiskey
15 ml (½ oz) triple sec
25 ml (¾ oz) fresh lemon juice
15 ml (½ oz) sugar syrup
60 ml (2 oz) lemonade or lemon-lime soda
Ice
Lemon wheel, to garnish
Method
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Add the whiskey, triple sec, lemon juice and sugar syrup, and stir briefly.
- Top with the lemonade or lemon-lime soda.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Thomas’s tip
- Skip the sour mix. Fresh lemon juice and a bit of syrup give you a brighter, cleaner drink, and it takes a minute longer.
What does a Lynchburg Lemonade taste like?
Sharp lemon and orange up front, sweet and fizzy in the middle, with vanilla and a touch of charcoal smoothness from the Tennessee whiskey. It’s a summer drink with a bit more backbone than most.
Tips for a better Lynchburg Lemonade
Taste before you top up. Lemons vary, and you may want a splash more syrup or a squeeze more juice.
Use a good lemonade, preferably cloudy and not too sweet. Cheap fizzy lemonade makes it taste like a pop.
Lynchburg Lemonade variations
Use bourbon in place of Tennessee whiskey. Add a splash of cranberry juice for colour. Make it in a jug for a party and top up with lemonade at the last minute. For a similar whiskey and lemon drink, try Bourbon Lemonade.
Best whisky for a Lynchburg Lemonade
A smooth Tennessee whiskey is the classic, though any easy bourbon works. You don’t need anything expensive in a drink with this much lemon.
Lynchburg Lemonade: quick answers
Is there Jack Daniel’s in a Lynchburg Lemonade?
Traditionally yes, as it’s named after Lynchburg, where Jack Daniel’s is made. Any Tennessee whiskey or easy bourbon works.
Do I need sour mix?
No. Fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup give a much better drink.
Is it a strong drink?
It’s fairly mild because of the lemonade, but it’s still a cocktail. Drink it with a bit of respect.
Skip the sour mix. Fresh lemon juice and a bit of syrup give you a brighter, cleaner drink, and it takes a minute longer.
Thomas Grønvold is the founder of Caskable and a whisky enthusiast who believes the best way to learn about whisky is simply to drink it, compare it, and stay curious. From supermarket favourites to bottles from distilleries around the world, he writes about what he actually tastes and experiences, without pretending you need to be an expert to enjoy a good dram.
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