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.

Black Light Lemonade for Halloween

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!

Halloween Lemonade
Glow in the Dark Lemonade

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!

Tonic Water Lemonade

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!

Black Light Lemonade

For more Halloween punch ideas, try these recipes:

And, for more healthy Halloween ideas and holiday recipes, check out my 150+ Healthy Holiday Recipes eBook.

To see how this Halloween lemonade recipe is made, watch my Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween Drinks video!

Glow in the Dark Lemonade

Black Light Lemonade for Halloween

Serve this fizzy black light lemonade for some glow in the dark fun on Halloween! How to make a Halloween lemonade with tonic water.
4.80 stars (5 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 3 cups tonic water, (regular or diet)
  • cups homemade lemonade, (or store-bought)
  • cups sparkling water, (or club soda)

Instructions 

  • Combine tonic water, lemonade, and sparkling water in a large pitcher.
  • Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
  • Serve in clear glasses under a blacklight for glow-in-the-dark lemonade!

Notes

Nutrition for drink made with regular tonic water & store-bought lemonade:
Per 1 cup:
75 calories | 0g fat | 19g carbs | 0g fiber | 18g sugar | 0g protein
Nutrition for drink made with diet tonic water & store-bought lemonade:
Per 1 cup:
30 calories | 0g fat | 8g carbs | 0g fiber | 7g sugar | 0g protein
Nutrition for drink made with regular tonic water & low sugar homemade lemonade:
Per 1 cup:
55 calories | 0g fat | 17g carbs | 0g fiber | 14g sugar | 0g protein
Serving: 1cup, Calories: 55kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Sugar: 14g
Did you make this recipe?Share a photo and tag us @mindovermunch — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!