The Loveliest Village on the Plains is renowned for many things: rolling the trees, genuine community, Aubie the Tiger and Samford Hall. However, I think Toomer’s Drugs is one of the most meaningful pieces of our home.
Not only does Toomer’s have history and great stake in our tradition here at Auburn University, but it also serves as a nexus for our community.
Whether you’re playing tour guide to friends and family in town or you’re spending an afternoon out and about, Toomer’s lemonade is a staple that makes any moment sweeter. Some people call it "the heart of Auburn," and I think they’re right.
When I decided to take a semester abroad, I knew I was going to miss Auburn — my friends, my home, Southern accents, etc. One thing that surprised me, though, was how much I missed Toomer’s lemonade. I found myself craving it (along with many other “American foods”).
We’ve all heard people say that Toomer’s is the “world’s best lemonade,” so I decided to put that claim to the test. I tried lemonade in as many places as I could when I traveled on the weekends. Here are my ratings, based on the flavor, the balance of bitterness and sweetness, the texture and my experience drinking it:
Austrian Lemonade
Austrian lemonade
I stayed in Vienna, Austria, and went out to eat at a restaurant downtown. Although the city was dark and rainy, the warm glow of the restaurant was soothing and welcoming. I ordered a “Lemon Almdudler,” which our waiter described as “like a lemonade” and “a very typical Austrian drink.”
It looked like a white wine or beer, probably due to the fact that it was served at room temperature with no ice. It had the consistency of a juice and a sweet lemon taste. It wasn’t bitter or too watery, and it really complimented my meal. I would give it a 4/5.
Catalan Lemonade
Catalan lemonade
Many Spaniards consider the region of Catalonia to be very different from the rest of Spain. Not to get too political in a piece about lemonade, but I decided to try a lemonade specifically from a city in Catalonia to see if it — like the dialect and culture — was distinct.
I liked the twist of orange, and I appreciated the ice. It was mostly sweet and not bitter or weird tasting. However, it had a little too much pulp for me, and the actual lemon flavor was a little diluted. I would give it a 3.5/5.
Swiss Lemonade
I visited Geneva and decided to dine in a restaurant that served classic Swiss food. Along with my gluten-free savory crepe, I ordered a lemonade to drink, and I think it earns extra points for presentation.
I felt very posh sipping it in the window and reading my book, but the taste was not at all what I expected. I felt like I was drinking apple juice; I seriously did not get a hint of lemon taste at all. I would give it a 2/5, but the 1 point for the pretty glass brings it up to a 3/5.
French Lemonade
I stayed in Paris, the city of love, but definitely not the city of lemonade. Since I was very limited on restaurants (due to my Celiac Disease), I know I probably did not find the best option of French lemonade available. This was the best I could do under the circumstances.
The bottle was voguish, but I felt like I was drinking spicy medicine. Turns out, ginger was one of the main ingredients, which was interesting because it was marketed to me as regular lemonade. It was bitter, and I remember not even wanting to finish it. I give it a 1/5.
Italian Lemonade
You might notice that I did not include a picture of the lemonade I tried in Italy. I stayed in Florence for a few days, and I was eager to sip on some fun drinks while enjoying the city. Italy is known for taking care of citizens with Celiac Disease and providing many gluten-free options.
So you can imagine my surprise when I went to order a lemonade and the waitress told me it wasn’t gluten-free. I don’t know what ingredient would include gluten, but, unfortunately, I did not get to taste Italian lemonade. For this reason, I give it a 0/5.
Castellano Lemonade
Lemonade from Madrid was the other type of Spanish lemonade I tried. I was right to do so because instead of a diluted drink with a hint of orange, I found a bubbly and carbonated drink that surprised me. Upon tasting it, I double-checked to make sure I hadn’t accidentally ordered carbonated water with lemon in it.
Since the Schweppes building is located in downtown Madrid, I assume they took a bottle or can of that, added a squirt of lemon juice and placed a sliced lemon and mint leaf on the top. That’s exactly what it tasted like. I appreciate the hometown loyalty of including Schweppes; and even though it didn’t have the best taste, I give it a 4/5.
Toomer’s Lemonade
Now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. I took this picture mere days after getting back to the U.S. Besides reuniting with loved ones, getting Toomer’s was a top priority for me.
Even though I prefer the bottle, the refreshing, cold lemonade has the perfect combination of sweet and sour, no matter how you drink it. It promotes hometown pride, and it represents so many memories, traditions and happy moments. It can rehydrate you on a hot Alabama day, help you celebrate an athletic win or bring back memories of the Plains. I think it rightfully earned itself a 5/5 and has truly proven its worthiness of the title “world’s best lemonade.”
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Sami Grace Donnelly, senior in English literature, began writing for the Plainsman in the fall of 2021. She has served as a columnist, writer abroad, Opinion Editor, managing editor and is now Editor-in-Chief of the Plainsman.
