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This charcoal lemonade is a super healthy, detoxifying twist on a classic drink, and it only takes about 3 minutes to make. The activated charcoal gives the lemonade its super black hue, as well as all of its amazing health benefits.
Uh, yeah. I know this charcoal lemonade looks super weird. Gross even? Or maybe like I’m early for Halloween?
But I am positively in love with this healthy detox drink. Because a) it doesn’t taste healthy and b) it definitely doesn’t taste “black,” like it’s charred or burnt. I’m all about the holistic living, but could not drink something that tastes blackened, like when I leave something in the broiler too long. Woops.
Oh, and let me tell you straight away!
What does charcoal lemonade taste like?
Charcoal lemonade tastes like lemonade. That’s it! It doesn’t taste gritty or black or charcoal-y or smoky or burnt whatsoever.
Activated charcoal is different from regular charcoal or char. The latter are carcinogens, whereas activated charcoal helps with everything from detoxification to digestion to even seriously curing my stomach flu. Really! My very own! I couldn’t believe it.
Activated charcoal is made from everything from bone char to coconuts or olive pits. It’s processed at a very high temperature to “activate” it, changing its structure and giving it those amazing benefits that make people drink black lemonade.
The best part (Maybe?) is that it really doesn’t taste at all, and the powder is so fine that it blends in easily to most liquids. Enter… charcoal lemonade!
What Makes This Recipe So Good
- This recipe only takes 4 ingredients and 3 minutes to make.
- The activated charcoal gives this lemonade a super healthy and aids in everything from digestion to heart health, anti-aging to stomach viruses and hangovers (Really!).
- This charcoal lemonade is sweetened with maple syrup, making it naturally paleo and vegan.
- There’s a simple keto option, thanks to liquid keto sweeteners like monkfruit or stevia.
Health Benefits of Activated Charcoal
I’m positively in love with activated charcoal on its own. And here’s a fun story: I came down with the stomach flu a while back and read, whilst bemoaning my own imminent death, that activated charcoal could actually absorb the stomach bug. It has been used for thousands of years to bind toxins, heavy metals, even poisons, and flush them from your body.
So after a few rounds of vomiting, I took a couple capsules. And that was it! I stopped throwing up. Amazing, right? I was sort of amazed. Like completely and totally amazed.
Other benefits of activated charcoal are:
- Absorbing toxins, drugs, heavy metals, and poisons, and flushing them from the body
- Anti-aging
- Improved digestion
- Hangover help! Really!
- Better heart health
- Improved kidney function
- Reduces fish odor syndrome
- Can reduce cholesterol levels
- Skin improvement, when used topically
Read more about the benefits of activated charcoal here.
Is charcoal lemonade good for you?
Hell yeah! Read about the benefits of activated charcoal above. When the activated charcoal combines with the detoxification powers of lemon juice, this charcoal lemonade becomes a super health refresher.
Read more about the benefits of lemons and lemon juice here.
How to Make It
It’s really super easy. Start by stirring together all the ingredients except the water: the lemon juice, maple syrup, and charcoal powder. Whisk well.
Add in water and taste; add more maple syrup or lemon juice to taste. Serve over ice.
If you make this charcoal lemonade to drink later, simply stir it before serving to reintegrate the charcoal powder.
How to Use Charcoal Powder
You can either use bulk charcoal powder (not in capsules), in which case you’ll use 1/2 teaspoon.
Or, to use charcoal capsules, carefully open the capsules over the drink container or pitcher. Be careful to do this slowly and gently, as charcoal is, obviously, very black!
Make It Keto / Low Carb / Sugar Free
To turn this charcoal lemonade keto, low carb, or sugar free, simply replace the maple syrup with the sugar-free sweetener of your choice. I like using liquid monkfruit or stevia, and I’ve used about 1 teaspoon liquid monkfruit when I’ve made this charcoal lemonade keto-friendly.
Other recipes you’ll love:
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Charcoal Lemonade
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup see Note for keto/low carb
- 3 capsules activated charcoal about 1/2 teaspoon
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Whisk together all ingredients in a pitcher. Pour over ice and serve.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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Thank you for the post. I look forward to trying it. Would you answer some questions for me? How often do you drink it for a cleanse/detox? One, two, three or more glasses a day and for how long? a couple of days or two or three or a week? How often can a person do a cleanse or does it depend on what a person is drinking/taking it for? Example: for detox or cholesterol, food poisoning or a “routine cleanse?” Thank you.
Hi, Janet! We are not medical professionals, nor do we play them on the internet, and as such we do not offer medical advice. This recipe is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any ailments, illnesses, injuries, or pains. We aren’t familiar with your personal needs, situation, and health history, and wouldn’t be able to offer answers applicable to you personally even if we were medical professionals. Your specific questions would be better asked to a healthcare professional if you have access to one.
This is meant as a home remedy option, an aid to be consumed when you’re feeling a little under the weather (digestive issues, sore throat, seasonal allergies, etc.) and taken once per day at most, just until you notice symptoms improving. It’s not meant to be used long-term or with a high frequency, nor is it meant to replace a quality diet, adequate hydration, or proper sleep, all of which will help your body naturally “detox”, assuming of course that there isn’t anything affecting your organs’ functionalities.
Just to be 100% transparent, though, while Cheryl saw positive results from consuming activated charcoal during the stomach bug she talks about in this article, we do not guarantee those results for others.
I realize I’m a bit late to the party here. I stumbled across the recipe, after having read about some of the benefits of charcoal for psoriasis. Just made up 1/4 batch to try – I love it! Thanks for the tasty recipe!
Thanks for leaving a review, Natalie! Wishing you the best with your psoriasis – my husband deals with it, too, so I know how frustrating it can be.
Is this okay for kids?
We recommend consulting your pediatrician to be sure!
I have liquid activated charcoal made from coconuts. I made 1/2 recipe and used 1/2 teaspoon. Does that sound right? Also used stevia to sweeten since I’m diabetic. I’ve had a stomach virus. That’s how I found your recipe. Tastes great! Hope it works.