In the UK, Ireland and Australia, lemonade usually refers to what type of lemon-flavored drink?

In the UK, Ireland and Australia, lemonade usually refers to a carbonated drink.

This usage differs from the North American meaning, where lemonade generally means a still mixture of lemon juice, water and sugar. In Britain, Ireland and Australia, the everyday product sold simply as lemonade is usually clear, fizzy and lemon-flavoured—closer to a lemon soda than to homemade American-style lemonade.

The distinction developed alongside the rise of carbonated soft drinks. Carbonated lemonade was being sold in British refreshment stalls by 1833, while traditional uncarbonated lemonade continued to exist as a separate style. In the UK, it may be described as still, cloudy, traditional or old-fashioned lemonade, and “lemon squash” is also used.

Regional varieties add further nuance. Ireland has white, red and brown lemonades, with red lemonade especially associated with the country. Lemon-lime soft drinks such as Sprite or 7 Up may also be treated as lemonade in some contexts, especially as mixers. Thus, the word’s meaning depends heavily on local drinking culture.