HARD LEMONADE BATCHING RECIPE

HARD LEMONADE BATCHING RECIPE

Hard Lemonade is one of the most versatile batches you can run on draft — serve it still on N₂ for a smooth, easy sipper, or carbonated on CO₂ for a bright, effervescent pour. Same keg, two service styles, one formula.

Lemonade Citrus 5-Gal Keg
Prep 5 m
Total 10 m
Yield 5-Gal Keg (~106 servings)
Gas N₂ or CO₂

Simple, crowd-proof, and infinitely adaptable. Vodka for a classic, tequila for a lemonade margarita, gin for a warm-weather Collins, or zero-proof for the non-drinking crowd. One batch covers everyone at the table.

Batch Method

  1. Add 5 liters spirit of choice to a clean 5-gallon Cornelius keg.
  2. Add 4 qts Top Hat Lemonade Concentrate.
  3. Add 10 qts cold filtered water.
  4. Seal the keg and shake vigorously side to side for 2 full minutes.
  5. Pressurize with N₂ (still) or CO₂ (carbonated) — see panels below.
  6. Refrigerate minimum 12 hours before first service.
  7. Serve ~6 oz over ice. Garnish with sliced or dehydrated lemon.
  8. Reshake twice daily to re-integrate ingredients.

Pro move: Can't decide? Run two kegs — one still on N₂, one carbonated on CO₂. Let guests choose. The still version works great for a more elevated, wine-service style presentation; the CO₂ version plays perfectly at a casual bar or event.

🥂 N₂ Pressurization — Still / Non-Carbonated
  1. Seal the keg and shake vigorously side to side for 2 full minutes.
  2. Connect gray/silver Cornelius "gas in" connector to GAS IN plug on keg lid.
  3. Set N₂ regulator to 12–15 psi.
  4. Pull up pressure release ring 3 times quickly to cycle gas through keg.
  5. Test flow. Reduce to 10–12 psi if pouring too fast.
  6. Reshake twice daily before service to re-integrate all ingredients.
Full keg gas instructions: Keg Gas Instructions →
💨 CO₂ Carbonation — Sparkling / Carbonated
  1. Insert charging stone lid at 45° and spin to align seal. Clamp firmly closed.
  2. Set CO₂ regulator to 20–25 psi.
  3. Connect gray/silver Cornelius connector to center plug of charging stone lid.
  4. Pull up pressure release ring 30 times quickly. Release between each pull.
  5. Refrigerate 24 hours. Cold liquid absorbs carbonation better.
  6. Once cold: pull pressure release ring 30 more times.
  7. Test flow. Reduce to 15 psi if foamy. Maintain 20–25 psi without foam.
Full instructions incl. commercial force carbonator: Keg Gas Instructions →
Top Hat Provisions
Make Better Drinks.
🍋Real lemon concentrate — batch-ready
🥂Serve still on N₂ or sparkling on CO₂
✨90-day shelf life · 106 servings per keg
Follow for more pours:
Hard Lemonade — 5-gallon keg batching recipe.
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