On a trendy stretch of Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, a bright yellow corner unit famous for cold-pressed lemonades has reopened.
It’s called, appropriately enough, Lemonade.
Inside the light-filled space outfitted with wood accents, oblong lighting fixtures, and cozy tables, there’s a fresh infusion of colorful beverages and bites on the menu. Most of these offerings are already available at all 28 locations in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County and the Bay Area.
“It’s our mantra to eat colorfully, drink colorfully,” said Kelly Hansen, Lemonade’s vice president of marketing and sales. “People look at those bright drinks and they say, that cannot be good for me.”
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On the contrary, she insists, these colorful concoctions are not the kind of sugary refreshments ubiquitous with lemonade stands.
She says they’re healthy.
Consider the new Skinny Lemonade T’s, which contain 30 percent less sugar than the restaurant’s classic cold-pressed lemonades.
The T’s are a mix of lemonade and flower teas, including blue butterfly flower and red hibiscus. Each tea lends a pop of vibrant purple or red to the lemonade, blending together in the cup to create still more color without altering the flavor.
“It’s like a fusion Arnold Palmer,” said Aimee Spencer, Lemonade’s area director of the north L.A. region before the noontime rush.
Other new offerings include fresh, cold-pressed juices, Fruity Yogurt Smoothies (infused with lemonade) and FROZade (the company’s take on frozen lemonade, available in pink lemonade or black cherry puree-infused pink lemonade). Both smoothies and FROZades come with the option of adding blueberry boba.
Exclusive to the Studio City location (until summer) are kombucha and cold brews on tap.
Lemonade also serves up comfort food at its different stations.
The food menu mixes plant-based and a variety of protein offerings, with new bites like Poke Bowls, Jammin’ Grill Cheese sandwich and Arugula and Kale salad with sweet Asian pears and blue cheese tossed in a sherry shallot vinaigrette.
“We have a lot of healthy options, but that’s not to say that’s all we are,” Spencer said. “The schools close around 3 and we get a wave of kids coming in for mac and cheese, lemonade and a chocolate chip cookie. It’s not exactly a healthy meal but it is delicious.”
The next new menu rollout is at the Manhattan Beach and Venice locations, beginning May 15.
Lemonade
Where: 12401 Ventura Blvd., Studio City
Hours: 10:45 a.m. to 9:05 p.m. daily
Information: 818-985-5700. www.lemonadela.com
