Black Light Lemonade for Halloween

Name: Black Light Lemonade for Halloween
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 3 cups tonic water ((regular or diet)); 1½ cups homemade lemonade ((or store-bought)); 1½ cups sparkling water ((or club soda))

posted by Alyssia Sheikh on October 13, 2021 (updated February 24, 2023)

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Halloween Black Light Lemonade

How to Make Glow in the Dark Lemonade for Halloween

Serve up this fizzy black light lemonade for some glow in the dark fun on Halloween! Also known as a tonic water lemonade, this gorgeous glow in the dark lemonade gets its fluorescence from the quinine in tonic water. Served in a clear glass and under a black light, it glows! Learn how to make a glowing Halloween lemonade with just 3 ingredients in minutes.

It’s satisfying and citrusy like a classic lemonade, with a fun fizziness from the sparkling water and added sweetness from the tonic water. You can use store-bought lemonade or homemade fresh squeezed lemonade, regular or diet tonic water—whatever you prefer. As long as you use some type of tonic water, your black light lemonade will glow!

I love that I can make glow in the dark drinks like this without any additives—just tonic water and a black light. Best of all, this Halloween lemonade couldn’t be easier to make! Simply add everything to a pitcher and chill before serving. If you’re throwing a Halloween party, turn down the lights, turn on some black lights, and this glow in the dark lemonade is sure to impress!

Does lemonade glow under black light?

No, lemonade itself won’t glow under a black light. A black light emits ultraviolet radiation, which interacts with and excites the atoms in certain compounds, causing them to release fluorescent light. Lemonade doesn’t contain any such compounds, so it won’t glow on its own. However, a tonic water lemonade will glow under a blacklight!

Does tonic water glow under black light?

Yes, tonic water does glow under a black light! Tonic water is a sweetened, carbonated drink that contains small amounts of a chemical called quinine. Quinine is a naturally occurring substance that comes from the bark of a cinchona tree, and it glows fluorescent blue under a black light. Combine it with a pastel yellow lemonade, and you can make a glow in the dark lemonade for Halloween!

Black Light Lemonade Ingredients

Tonic Water (regular or diet)
Homemade Lemonade (or store-bought)
Sparkling Water

Substitution Notes

Tonic Water: As noted above, tonic water is essential to making this black light lemonade because it contains quinine—the compound that makes it glow. However, you have the option to use regular tonic water (34g sugar/12 oz) or diet tonic water (0g sugar). Both contain quinine, so use whichever you prefer!
Lemonade: Use any lemonade that you like in this recipe! Keep it simple with a store-bought variety, or make your own at home with the ingredients and sugar content that you prefer. Try my homemade fresh squeezed lemonade recipe for a lower-sugar version that tastes just as sweet!
Sparkling Water: You can use sparkling water or club soda—whatever you’d like to add some fun fizz! Of course, you’ll already have fizz from the tonic water, so you’re welcome to replace the sparkling with regular water instead. (Personally, I like using sparkling water.)

How to Make Glow in the Dark Lemonade

To make this black light Halloween lemonade, simply combine tonic water, lemonade, and sparkling water in a large pitcher. Then, chill in the fridge for at least an hour, and that’s it. Pour into clear glasses, serve under a blacklight, and enjoy the glow! To adjust the recipe amounts, just make sure at least half of the mixture is tonic water so it will glow. An irresistibly easy, sweet yet healthy Halloween treat!