Red lemonade

Red lemonade is a popular soft drink in Ireland. Lemonade in Ireland comes in two varieties - red and white. Both are officially lemon-flavoured, but there is a marked difference in taste between the varieties.

Red lemonade is one of the most popular mixers used with spirits in Ireland, particularly whiskey.

Major brands of red lemonade include- TK (Taylor Keith), Country Spring, Finches and Nash's.

Red Lemonade is frequently quoted in the top ten things that Irish expatriates miss about the country.

Popular urban myths include: Red lemonade only exists in Ireland as the chemical used to make it red is banned elsewhere in the world. The contention of the myth is that the chemical in it is carcinogenic and banned in all other EU countries.

In Northern Ireland, there is brown lemonade instead of red. This is also lemon-flavoured but with a different taste to the white variety. Brands include Maine and C&C (Cantrell & Cochrane). C&C label this as "Witches Brew" in the weeks around Halloween. TK is also widely available.

Red Lemonade, whatever the brand, is essentially the same as Tizer in the UK, being a fruity fizzy drink with an orangy red colour to it.