How to Make Lemon Ice Cubes (5 Ways)

Lemon ice cubes are a zesty, refreshing way to boost your drinks, meals, and even skincare routine. From flavoring water to preserving juice or enhancing cocktails, these five easy methods keep things cool, citrusy, and creative. Let’s squeeze the most out of your lemons!

1. Lemon Juice Ice Cubes

First things first: regular frozen lemon juice cubes.

• Using a citrus press, juice fresh lemons into a bowl, straining out seeds.

• Pour the lemon juice into ice cube trays.

• Freeze for several hours or overnight until solid.

• Once frozen, transfer cubes to an airtight container or freezer bag for longer storage (up to a year for best quality).

Use these cubes to add lemon flavor to water, cocktails, iced tea, smoothies, or for cooking and baking.

2. Lemon Slices in Ice Cubes

This option is for special occasions, when you want to impress guests with rosy and bright beverages.

• Slice lemons (and optionally other citrus fruits) into thin rounds.

• Arrange slices into each compartment of a muffin tin or large ice cube tray. Stack them around each other into a rose-like shape. 

• Fill each compartment about 3/4 full with cold water, then top off as needed. Your lemons don’t need to be fully submerged.

• Freeze overnight.

• Pop out cubes and store in a freezer bag and serve in pitchers or party drinks!

3. Whole Lemon Puree Cubes

Make these lemon puree cubes to add a vitamin C and fiber boost to your everyday drinks.

• Chop 2–3 large organic lemons (including peel, seeds, and pulp) into cubes.

• Add to a blender or food processor with a small amount of water.

• Blend until smooth, adding more water as needed for blending.

• Pour the mixture into ice cube trays.

• Freeze for 4–6 hours or until solid.

• Transfer cubes to freezer bags for storage.

Great for smoothies, teas, or recipes that use the whole lemon’s nutrients. Expect a bolder flavor than juice alone, since the entire fruit is included.

4. Lemon Juice and Zest (with Optional Mint)

Now if blending the entire lemon is too bitter for your liking, this version uses all the yummy parts and ditches the sour pith. You retain some vitamin C and fiber. There are two ways to go about it:

• Use a paring knife to peel thin strips of lemon zest and place in each ice cube tray compartment. Alternatively, zest your lemons with a zester and place the set aside.

• Squeeze your fresh lemon juice into a bowl, stirring in the zest (if you zested instead of peeling).

• Pour the juice/juice mixture into your cube compartments.

• Optionally, add torn mint leaves.

• Freeze until solid.

• Store in an airtight container or ziploc bag.

5. Lemonade Ice Cubes

• Stir together lemon juice, water, and sugar to make a simple lemonade.

• Pour this mixture into ice cube trays.

• Freeze until solid and store ice in a freezer bag to protect flavor.

These cubes are perfect for chilling and flavoring lemonade or other sweet drinks without dilution, and for a hint of sweetness. They work well with mini ice cube trays because they’re just juice!

Tips for Success

• Wash lemons thoroughly before slicing or zesting.

• Storing cubes in airtight containers prevents freezer burn and odor absorption.

• Use within 6–12 months for best flavor.

• Flexible silicone trays make it much easier to remove ice cubes without cracking them.

Related Reads: How to Make Fruit Flavored (Natural) Ice Cubes