Your kids want lemonade

Photograph by Cinzia Reale-Castello

Your kids want:

Mac and cheese | Chicken fingers |French fries | A hot fudge sundae | Tacos | Hot chocolate | Grilled cheese | A milkshake | Burgers

GO TO:Kitchenette

All too often, what gets passed off as lemonade is a sorry disappointment. A glass of sour water with wayward floating seeds, for example. Or a sugary drink lacking that requisite citrusy tang. So, if you want to wean the kids off Country Time, where do you head? Try Kitchenette, where the pitcher-perfect pink lemonade recipe comes from co-owner Ann Nickinson’s grandmother. The refreshing quaff, which gets its fun tint from a combination of blackberries and raspberries, is served in mason jars—a fitting match with the restaurant’s country-kitsch decor. Kitchenette sells about four to five gallons of the stuff during the average weekday and much more on the weekend, all year long. Dinner at the restaurant’s Tribeca and Harlem outposts can get pricey, and $2.75 for a 16-ounce glass may seem a bit steep, but according to manager Jill Moroh, the cost is justified because they make the drinks with fruit that’s fresh, not frozen. The folks at Kitchenette know that lemonade’s a regular drink for little guzzlers, and Moroh speaks for more than a few kids (and their parents) when she says, “At most places, it’s all yucky.” 156 Chambers St between Greenwich St and West Broadway (212-267-6740, kitchenettenyc.com). Check website for uptown location.

NEXT BEST THING:Burgers & Cupcakes

Its name is the stuff of kids’ dreams, and the slightly sweeter-than-usual lemonade at this Hell’s Kitchen spot will be a big hit among thirsty youngsters. It’s still tart enough to complement the killer fries and confections that B&C specializes in, so hold off on asking for that extra wedge of lemon. 458 Ninth Ave between 35th and 36th Sts (212-643-1200).

Patty time! | Table talk | Eat with your hands | Dinner theater