Citrus Water Punch
Sweet, tart, and so very lemony, this delicious, light, refreshing citrus water punch is a perfect accompaniment to any meal.
There is something truly magical about this punch. It has crazy powers. Powers to elicit a response in people that never fails to amaze.
It looks unassuming, I know, but don’t underestimate how many times I have had people take a sip, nearly faint and then get on their hands and knees and beg for this recipe (and I’m using the term “recipe” very loosely here).

Clearly, some of the magic in this punch lies in the short list of ingredients: water (no need to add it to your grocery list!) mixes with sugar, lemon extract and citric acid to create the most refreshing beverage you’ve ever laid your lips on.
If citric acid has you confused and nervous, don’t worry! It can be found in most pharmacies or health food stores.
Sweet, tart and so very lemony, this delicious, light beverage would be a perfect accompaniment to an Easter meal or anytime, really. I hope it will work its magic on you and yours! (Thanks to the awesome sisters at the Sister’s Cafe for the recipe!)
One Year Ago: Perfect Lemon Cake
Citrus Water Punch
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons citric acid, you can find this at most pharmacies or natural food stores
- 5 quarts water
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure lemon extract
- 3 sliced lemons
- 3 sliced limes
- Crushed ice
Instructions
- In a large pitcher or punch bowl, stir water, sugar, citric acid, and lemon extract together.
- Add sliced fruit and ice.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: from The Sister’s Cafe
I had given up hope I would ever be able to try this recipe after searching for citric acid FOREVER…I finally found some at a new “Around the World” market that just opened nearby. It appears to carry mostly Indian food/ingredients. Along with bags of spices cheaper than I have EVER seen them anywhere, there were bags of Citric Acid! I immediately bought 2 bags and came home and made this. SOOOO yummy! I love, love, LOVE it! I may experiment with Stevia to see if I can cut down the sugar content, but seriously, sooooo deliciously refreshing!
Sieglinde – I’m so happy you found the citric acid finally! And more importantly that you loved the finished product. Thank you for checking in to let me know. Sounds like a great new market!
I don’t know if this is any help now but citric acid can also be found where they make wine.
I searched and searched for citric acid and couldn’t find it anywhere so I pretty much gave up……….and then yesterday I was at our local Natural Foods market and there it was in the bulk section! So check your bulk food sections before you give up! HTH
Ann
Ann – I’m so glad you finally found it!
One other quick question. I am going to make this tomorrow morning so should I leave out the limes/lemons until I am ready to serve (in the afternoon)?
Thanks!
Lorie – yes, if you are making the punch in the morning, leave the fruit out until just before serving (you could cut up all the fruit and put it in ziploc bags so you can just quickly add it before serving). Hope that helps!
What brand name is your citric acid? Still looking for some!
Thanks!
Lorie – right now I have mrs.wages citric acid. I found it in the canning aisle. Right now might be a good time to look for it since people use it in canning.
Any helps for diabetics and the 2 cups of sugar. . .substitutions??
Lisa – to be honest, I don’t know. I have never used a sugar substitute so I’m hesitant to recommend a change I haven’t tried. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help!
Most sugar substitutes say right on the package what the equivalent to sugar is.
I live in So Cal and could not find Citric Acid anywhere (besides a cake shop where it was super expensive). Then I saw that Kosher Markets sell it as Sour Salt or Citric Acid. I visited a Kosher Market and picked up 16oz. for $3.95.
Meghan – great tip. I’ve never heard of Sour Salt but I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for it now.
I made this awhile back and found the citric acid at a local kitchen supply specialty store…..they too gave me a recipe for the same drink. It was a big hit where I took it!
Thanks, Kaleena!
We have found it at Fred Meyers in the Natual food section in bulk. We also call it “yummy Water”. A lady at church said the ice is a must!!!!! But I have only had it with ice, so I don’t know how it is without. Thanks for the input on taking out the lemons and limes. Last time I had it we also floated Oranges in the bowl.
Mel- Do you need the lemons and limes for the recipe or are they for garnish? Thanks!
Maureen – the lemon and limes are probably more for garnish than anything so in a pinch, you could leave them out since all the flavor/tartness/sweetness comes from the ingredients in the recipe.
Thanks for posting this recipe. I got it from a friend who made it for her reception. We call it lemon water because it is a light lemon flavor. We make it up in 5 gal containers for family reunions or get togethers. The kids fill their water bottles with it. It is not strong like some lemonades but very light and refreshing. It’s great for adults as well as children.
Thanks you! I made it tonight and it is very good. 🙂
Kim – thanks for letting me know this punch turned out well!
What aisle do you buy the lemon extract? Is this the same as MCormicks lemon extract that you find by the vanilla? Or is it a lemon concentrate found elsewhere?
Hi Kim – I find my lemon extract in the baking aisle by the vanilla extract.
What a find this is. Am sharing this with friends who often entertain and need something special for the children to share in the festivities with. Plus a perfect summertime drink for me as I am seriously in love with all things citrus! Thanks so much for this post!!!!
Camille – thanks for the tip for those in the SLC area!
Karalee – hey, I kind of like the Yummy Water name!
my aunt made this at my bridal shower back in December and i loved it. I wanted to make it for a party at my sister in laws house and so i finally got the recipe from her. It was a hoot. She and i had both just called it Yummy Water and it drove my husband nuts!! we both love it to death and my husband likes the name you have for it much better! it was difficult to find the citric acid but i finally found it at a canning store!
I fell in love with this punch several years ago and love to make it during the summer – it’s just so refreshing! For those who live in the Salt Lake area, they sell citric acid in a 1 lb. container at Orson Gygi restaurant supply store on 35th South. The one I bought a year or so ago is marked with a $3.99 price tag, so it’s a waaaaaay better deal than buying it from the pharmacy where you just get like a 1 oz. container or some such…
My MIL just brought us a ton of lemons from her trees in Arizona and I now have two gallons (!!!) of freshly squeezed juice in the freezer. So I won’t be buying any lemon extract soon. What I DID do, though was add a little citric acid to my homemade lemonade (about 1/16 teaspoon to a 12 oz. glass). The lemonade was good before…it’s better now! Thanks for the great idea. I’ll be bookmarking this post for the time in the far, far future when I run out of fresh lemon juice…LOL!
I am a huge fan of summer drink recipes. I love having a big pitcher of something icy cold and fruity on hand for hot afternoons. I’ll have to add this to my list. Thanks for sharing it!
Lani and Mary – thanks for letting us know where you are able to find the citric acid!
I live in Utah too and found it at the grocery store (Kohler’s in Alpine) on the aisle with all the canning products. This is the punch recipe I was looking for recently. Thanks so much for posting it Mel!
I love this drink and I’m glad you posted the recipe so this way I know where I can find it. I live in Utah and find citric acid at a cake supply store that I go to, Baker’s Cash & Carry. So to those unable to find it maybe check out a baking supply store.
Kim in MD – I’m so sorry it has taken me so long to respond! Did you try the punch spiked? I’m don’t drink alcohol so I can’t weigh in on the issue but I hope that if you made it, that it worked out ok!
Sonya – glad you liked this and I agree that it would be perfect for a warm summer day. Thanks for the info on where you found your citric acid!
Tanya – hmmm…club soda would be an interesting idea. I’m not sure how it would work but it’s definitely worth a try! Let me know if you get brave enough to try it.
Anissa – thanks for letting me know this punch turned out well!
We made it tonight for Easter dinner as well. It was delicious. Not too sweet, not too sour. Very mild and refreshing taste. Thanks!
Hi Kristen – I’m sorry you didn’t like this punch. I’m surprised but at the same time, maybe the taste just wasn’t what you were expecting. Hmmmm…I’m not sure why it didn’t work out for you. Will you comment back and let me know what exactly about the taste wasn’t good? Was it too tart, too sweet, too sour?? I double checked the recipe and it is exactly how I always make it (and the same as posted on other websites like the Sister’s Cafe).
Hi,
First of all, I love your blog and have enjoyed all of the recipes I have tried. I just wanted to give my 2 cents on this recipe though. I made it for Easter and followed the recipe exactly and it was not good. Each person who tried it felt the same way. I just wondered if all the ingredient portions were listed correctly??
Anyway, thank you for all your efforts to make this blog such a great one.
Anissa – citric acid is a powder. I hope you can find it!
Is Citric Acid a powder or a liquid? I struck out at Fred Meyer and I just don’t know where to look for it next…
oops i thought this was an april fools joke- sorry hahha. i love your website though! thnks for all you hard work
Looks SO refreshing! Do you think it would be possible to make with club soda instead of plain water, to add some bubbles?
I made this today and it is really yummy. It’s a nice lemonade-y drink. Not too sweet not too tart. It would be great on a summer day when the kids are swimming in the pool. I found the citric acid at a local farm stand. The package says it’s used for canning tomatoes. A 5 oz jar cost me 4.99. I asked at Walgreens and they didn’t have any neither did my local grocery store. That 5 oz jar should make about 4-5 batches. Thanks again Melanie.
Oh, one more thing…I add less limes, but I add as many slices of oranges as I do lemons. So yummy!!
I have had a lot of compliments when I have served this punch. If you want it a little sweeter, you can add the same amount of Fruit Fresh in place of the citric acid, in the canning section of your grocery store. (If you can’t find citric acid (here in Vegas it is impossible) you can order it online.)
I LOVE this punch and have begged several people for the recipe! So glad to finally have it! Now off to find citric acid! 🙂
THE Aunt Marilyn gave me this recipe years ago. I have made it several times and absolutely love it. The citric acid is a must. It gives it a tangy yummy kick. You can also find it at kitchen supply stores.
Thanks, Mel! I am off to the pharmacy to buy some citric acid…
Also, I was wondering if you think this would be good “spiked”, for the adults at my party? A splash of vodka, perhaps…would that add to or ruin the punches “magical powers”? 🙂
Thanks again for creating such an amazing food blog!
This stuff is the BEST!!! We served it at our wedding reception. My little tip is to take out the fruit if you have leftover punch or it gets a nasty taste.
I have a serious citrus addiction and this looks so good! Can’t wait to try it! I actually keep some limes and lemons in the freezer for “citrus emergencies”. Thanks for sharing it!
i’ve never purchased citric acid, although there’re heaps of it in the lab at work. maybe i’ll sneak some out… 🙂
What is the purpose of the citrus acid? This drink looks fantastic.
Kim – the citric acid is pretty necessary to the punch. It adds a citrus-y kick that you can’t really get any other way. I highly recommend using it. It is an all natural ingredient, if that is your worry.
Amiee – yes, lemon extract is really an extract! It is different than freshly squeezed lemon juice because it is highly, highly concentrated. Seriously, one whiff of the stuff will bowl you over.
Beautiful photo! I love serving water this way.
I love this punch! My mom makes this same recipe –we always call it “good water”.
I love your blog and trying all of the yummy recipes! Thanks for sharing!
Hey, just curious about the lemon extract. Like literally extract?? Or freshly squeezed lemon juice? I never even knew they made lemon extract? crazy!
I just added this to my grocery list. We are hosting the Easter meal at our house and this will make a great addition. I love your pitcher too. I have one just like it. It makes everything look so pretty. I fill mine with Sangria during the summer. Yummmmm
My friend served this at her wedding reception. I had never tasted such fantastic “lemonade”. You’re right, I begged for the recipe!
This looks yummy, can’t wait to try it! BTW, your photography is fantastic!!!
Oh my gosh…this looks incredible! I am hosting a party for 25 people next Saturday, and I am going to make this for the children!
Mel- what does the citric acid add to the punch? I was just wondering if that could be omitted…
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
If you leave out the citric acid, it would just be sugar water. Nothing special. I just bought citric acid from Amazon.com…. that’s where I buy everything… I am not patient enough to look and drive all over town like of the others here have done.