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[title]Families can celebrate the (almost) start of summer with the first ever Lemonade Day on Sunday, June 3. Hoping to help kids understand the value of starting, owning and operating a business, Lemonade Day, sponsored by the John & Amy Phelan Foundation and presented by Keller Williams NYC, invites kids to run their own lemonade stands at several spots around the city, including inside of a Fairway supermarket and outside of the Vinegar Factory on the Upper East Side (click here for a full list of locations). Kids and their parched parents can also stop by one of the stands to purchase a beverage and support our city's future entrepreneurs. While Lemonade Day may only lasts for a few hours, there are plenty of places around the city to enjoy a citrusy drink all summer long. Read on for some of our favorites.
Astor Bake Shop
Local families have flocked to this friendly, white-tiled corner caf since its June 2010 opening. In addition to a short savory menu and fresh-baked pastries (owner George McKirdy honed his skills at Tribeca Grill and Caf Boulud, among other spots), you'll find one of the most thirst-quenching bevvies around—the gingerade, an iced brew of lemon, ginger and anise, sweetened with honey. Astor Bake Shop, 12-23 Astoria Blvd at 14th St, Astoria, Queens (718-606-8439, astorbakeshop.com). Small gingerade: $2.50.
BabyCakes
Besides organic baked goods and sweets, BabyCakes offers agave-sweetened lemonade, a simple recipe of fresh lemons, agave nectar, cool water and ice (plus a friendly lemon wedge for garnish). Babycakes NYC, 248 Broome St between Ludlow and Orchard Sts (855-462-2292, babycakesnyc.com). Agave lemonade: $4.
Burgers & Cupcakes
At this Hell's Kitchen resto whose name is the stuff of kids' dreams, the slightly sweeter-than-usual lemonade is a big hit among thirsty youngsters. Kids also flip for Burgers & Cupcakes' fresh-squeezed lemon fizz, which comes in berry flavor, too. Burgers & Cupcakes, 458 Ninth Ave between 35th and 36th Sts (212-643-1200, burgersandcupcakesnyc.com). Lemonade and lemon or berry fizz: $3.50.
Kitchenette
Kitchenette's pitcher-perfect pink lemonade recipe comes from co-owner Ann Nickinson's grandmother and gets its fun tint from a combination of blackberries and raspberries. Served in mason jars, a fitting match with the restaurant's country-kitsch decor, Kitchenette sells about four to five gallons of the stuff on the average weekday and much more on the weekend, all year long. Plus: The drinks are made with fruit that's fresh, not frozen. *Kitchenette, 156 Chambers St between Greenwich St and West Broadway (212-267-6740, kitchenetterestaurant.com). *1272 Amsterdam Ave at 123rd St (212-531-7600). Pink lemonade: $3.50.
Vynl
Served in a pint glass, Vynl's watermelon lemonade—whose pink and pulpy watermelon juice makes its way to the top—is so summery and old-timey, you'd think it came from a 1950s county fair. Your kid will love plunging her straw into the drink and mixing the brightly colored juices together. Vynl, 754 Ninth Ave between 50th and 51st Sts (212-974-2003, vynl-nyc.com). Watermelon lemonade: $4.
Westville
This all-American, quality-ingredients restaurant and bakery offers its official refreshment of the summer—frozen mint lemonade—at all three locations. The green-colored slushy is made fresh with the house lemonade, plus plenty of mint to balance out any excessive sweetness and crushed ice; it's guaranteed to keep the kids energized on a hot summer day. For the grown-ups, there's also a boozy version of the frozen mint lemonade with Prosecco. *Westville, 210 W 10th St between Bleecker and West 4th Sts (212-741-7971, westvillenyc.com). *Westville East, 173 Ave A at 11th St (212-677-2933). *Westville Chelsea, 246 W 18th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves (212-924-2223). Frozen mint lemonade: $5.