Panda Express Minute Maid Light Lemonade

Minute Maid Light Lemonade is the smart lemonade order at Panda Express: 15 calories with 0 g of sugar, at the same price as the full sugar version. It is one of the few drinks here that gives real flavor for effectively nothing.

The taste tracks close to standard lemonade, tart and citrus forward with the sweetness lightened. It keeps the acidity that makes lemonade work against fried food, which is the part that actually matters at a table full of battered entrees and Rangoon.

Against regular Minute Maid Lemonade at 390 calories, the swap saves nearly 375 calories for free. In menu terms that is more than a serving of Chow Mein at 600 calories, given up by changing nothing but which button you press at the fountain.

It suits anyone who wants lemonade rather than tea or soda while keeping the meal in check. Pair it with the fried appetizers or any glazed entree. Other effectively zero calorie options include the unsweetened teas and the diet sodas, all listed on the Panda Express drinks menu.