Red lemonade (Irish: Líomanáid dearg) is a soft drink sold in Ireland and regarded as distinctively a part of the cultural identity of Irish people.[1]

Lemonade in Ireland traditionally comes in three varieties – red, brown and white. All three are lemon-flavoured, but there is a marked difference in taste between the varieties.[2] Red lemonade is particularly associated with festive occasions,[3][4] but can also be a folk remedy.[5]

Red lemonade is drunk on its own and is also served as a mixer with spirits in Ireland, particularly in whiskey.[6][7] Major brands of red lemonade include TK (formerly Taylor Keith), Country Spring, Finches, Nash's, Maine, and C&C.[7][8] There was an urban myth that European Union authorities had banned red lemonade,[9] but in fact the authorities had simply banned a cancer-causing dye.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ Freyne, Patrick (3 December 2017). "'I'm a cultural culchie, baptised in red lemonade and raised by bullocks'". The Irish Times.
  2. ^ "Red Lemonade - Ireland's legendary soft drink". www.blackcastledrinks.com.
  3. ^ McDonnell, Ciara (23 December 2020). "'A bottle of red lemonade for the children and a glass of whiskey for Daddy'". Irish Examiner.
  4. ^ O'Kelly, Sheila (7 July 2017). "Picnics of yore: red lemonade, crisps and an apple or two stolen from the orchard". The Irish Times.
  5. ^ McGuire, Peter (10 February 2015). "We know there's no cure for colds. But let's try anyway". The Irish Times.
  6. ^ Graham, Lester (16 March 2021). "A riff on Ireland's whiskey and red lemonade". Michigan Public Radio - NPR.
  7. ^ a b "Mixers: red lemonade". www.liquidirish.com.
  8. ^ "Cantrell: Our Brands: TK Soft Drinks. Brand story". Cantrell & Cochrane. Archived from the original on 27 August 2006.
  9. ^ McElwain, Aoife (3 August 2016). "Forbidden foods: why they taste so delicious". The Irish Times.
  10. ^ Elkin, David (5 August 2015). "Red lemonade isn't banned everywhere but Ireland – that's an urban myth". uk.news.yahoo.com.
  11. ^ Bielenberg, Kim (25 April 2000). "Straight bananas: How Euromyths bend the truth". Irish Independent.

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