A few years ago, our eyebrows would have been raised high if our lemonade was served with cucumbers or pepper, but now these cold citrusy concoctions are often served with such unconventional ingredients alongside chunks of fresh fruit in a jar. This topic is intriguing because this delicious drink – which is basically just fizzy water infused with syrups, loads of ice, and a straw – generally costs around 600-800 forints at several Budapest hangouts. Therefore, we did not include simple and overpriced variations in this list, but rather more extreme, high-quality, and succulent lemonades.
1/11
360 Bar
It is primarily the breathtaking panorama that entices guests to the top of the historic Paris Department Store on Andrássy Avenue for a sweet rendezvous, sunset-watching, or for a chat with friends... but their beverages are worth getting high for, too. 360 Bar’s lemonades are classic, but they are generously packed with citruses, and will quite possibly pose for the best lemonade photos of 2017.
Price: from 650 HUF
2/11
AHOY!
As expected from a chocolate and lemonade bar, we can try tasty lemonades in endless variations at both AHOY units in Budapest. The jars – or sometimes baskets – here are packed with fresh fruits, and guests can choose how much ice, and what kind of water (fizzy or still) goes inside. We swear by the raspberry and lavender variations, as we believe that sometimes, less is more.
Price: from 890/1,050 HUF
3/11
Barside
Barside is a colorful spot on Madách Square, where in the summer – uniquely among cocktail bars – visitors can enjoy special vodka-, whisky-, rum-, gin-, tequila-, and mescal concoctions outside on the terrace. As Barside is also open during the day as a store, we can pop in for a coffee or a lemonade anytime. Our favorites here are the passion fruit, and the peony-pomegranate versions, which are both made of fresh ingredients without any aromas.
Price: 850-890 HUF
4/11
Bestia
There are many attractions at this restaurant by the base of St. Stephen’s Basilica, certainly including their mouthwatering meals like tasty new-wave tenderloin, goulash soup, and lamb dishes; we recently found out that the salads are also succulent here. Bestia also offers great craft beers, but if you’d prefer something alcohol-free, we highly recommend the vanilla-cucumber lemonade, in which bits of real vanilla dance around.
Price: 790 HUF
5/11
Dobrumba
At the moment, one of the most popular places in town is definitely Dobrumba, and nowadays there is even a chance to get a table here, to devour their mouthwatering mezzes and succulent Middle Eastern meals, for which we would come back anytime. They also have weekly offers, and besides wines and other alcoholic beverages, their lemonades are truly tasty, too. The hibiscus-rose water variation suits the place’s flavors and concept, and their delicious lemonades can be ordered in a one-liter large bottle.
Price: from 450-500 HUF
6/11
Good Morning Vietnam
It might seem slightly strange to include a Vietnamese place on this list, but we really cannot leave out Good Morning Vietnam’s mango lemonade. It is made of mango, soda, and citruses without any syrups. After a savoury pho soup that warms you up, it is truly refreshing to sip on a tasty concoction like this.
Price: 590 HUF
7/11
Nap bácsi
Fellini and Nap bácsi are fixed points on the Római Shore, where we can take a break from the hustle and bustle of town (well, when we can actually sit down). We highly recommend hanging out at Nap bácsi to sip on tasty lemonades, especially because in addition to regular citruses, they also pack their jars with apple slices.
Price: from 550 HUF
8/11
Pagony (Closed)
Cooling off at Pagony during summer is a somewhat nostalgic feeling, as an empty pool provides a truly unique venue for sweet summertime chats – no wonder why most afternoons are really busy here. To fully embrace Pagony’s atmosphere, try one of their tasty and classic lemonades.
Price: 650 HUF
9/11
PIÑA Bar Budapest (Closed)
One of Madách Square’s newest cocktail bars builds on organic ingredients, and even though guests mostly devour alcoholic drinks here, the lemonades are so tasty that it was no question whether we would include them on this list. They have four types of homemade drinks, and the most unique ones are made of tonic, lemongrass-vanilla, and bay-leaf syrup, and they come served with edible spices.
Price: from 500 HUF
10/11
raqpart
We think that raqpart is most atmospheric towards the evening, when people do not start dancing yet, but instead chill while admiring the stunning view over the Danube, the Chain Bridge, or to the Gresham Palace. The flavorful lemonades and smoothies (pictured) are both perfect choices for quiet nights like this, and our favorites are the passion fruit-macadamia and the strawberry-basil variations. A few of their lemonades can also be ordered enhanced with some alcohol.
Price: 950 HUF (1,850 HUF with alcohol)
11/11
WarmUp Rustic (ceased)
The bartenders at WarmUp have always been famous for their inventiveness. The size of Kertész Street’s WarmUp Rustic makes it possible to have a night out with a group of friends, and there is always the possibility to enjoy an alcohol-free night here, thanks to the flavorful lemonades. Like their cocktails, the lemonades are also tailored to the guests’ tastes, and are made of seasonal ingredients. We tried an orange-peanut version, but they are truly talented with cucumber, cranberry, and edible flowers, too.
