A Taste of Sunshine: Meet The Lemon Babe

June 12, 2026

“Sorrento is basically one big love letter to lemons and oranges … Bright, bold, and unapologetically joyful. Honestly, I came for the views … but stayed for the lemons.” – Cathy Schirra, Travel Blogger

If you were to ask which fruit is the most romantic, you might be surprised to hear lemons. What other fruit makes your mouth pucker in a way that invites a kiss?

Lemons are made for summer. Their sunny color brightens a kitchen counter, their fragrance fills the air, and their tartness awakens the senses like few other fruits can. It’s no surprise that people around the world have fallen in love with them.

That love affair stretches from backyard gardens to the famous lemon groves of Italy’s Amalfi Coast. A recent trip to Naples and Sorrento inspired some of the sparkling lemonade offerings created by Kyra McLean, better known around the market as The Lemon Babe.

When a gap opened in the Salem NH Farmers Market vendor lineup this spring, Kyra didn’t just step into it — she sprinted. What began as a simple idea quickly grew into a business built around fresh-pressed lemons, creative flavors and a sense of fun.

We talked to Kyra about how her journey with lemons started in our market community.

Why lemonade? What inspired you?

Who doesn’t love lemonade, especially at a farmers market on a summer Sunday morning? When I learned in mid-May that there wasn’t a lemonade vendor, I started asking questions. Within days, I was talking with the town’s health office to learn what I needed to become licensed and get started.

Why The Lemon Babe?

I had the name almost immediately. It came down to two options, but as I thought about branding, menu possibilities and the overall vibe I wanted to create, The Lemon Babe was the clear winner. It perfectly captured both my personality and the experience I wanted to offer.

What were some challenges in getting The Lemon Babe going?

I started with very little beyond a handheld citrus squeezer, experience selling through Kirasole Studio, creativity and plenty of family support. Learning the licensing requirements, sourcing equipment and supplies, and testing recipes all happened in a matter of weeks. We spent a lot of time experimenting with flavor combinations, squeezing methods and sweetness levels to create a menu we felt good about launching.

You are using syrup for your flavors and you have some interesting ones.

Our specialty lemonades feature thoughtfully selected syrups from Monin and 1883 Maison Routin, chosen for their quality and flavor. Keeping the bottles on site also allows customers to review ingredients if they have questions. As we grow, we’d love to develop some of our own signature syrup blends, but these have been a great starting point.

What inspired your choice of flavors and blends?

Some flavors are classics for a reason, like strawberry. But there are so many possibilities when it comes to lemonade. We started by narrowing the menu to a handful of flavors we loved and then refined them through taste testing. We’re also developing a “sipspiration” card with recommendations on how to go from mocktail to cocktail after farmers market hours, using spirits and wine available at the market.

Can they make blend requests?

We understand dietary restrictions and allergies. We’ve had requests for less sugar, more sugar, flavor substitutions and other customizations. Special requests may take a little longer, but creating a drink that someone truly enjoys is always worth it.

What are your plans for The Lemon Babe?

To keep growing. The dream is a small food truck and opportunities to bring The Lemon Babe to private events and gatherings beyond the farmers market. Maybe even bringing in some lemon-inspired, Kirasole-designed merch.

What is the one thing you want your customers to know? What is The Lemon Babe offering them?

We believe lemonade can be both nostalgic and sophisticated. From fresh-pressed lemons to thoughtfully selected flavors and garnishes, every cup is crafted to elevate a classic favorite into something a little more special.

The Lemon Babe is lemonade reimagined — a little sparklier, a little more sophisticated, and every bit as refreshing as you remember.

Visit Kyra at the market and treat yourself to a taste of sunshine. Follow The Lemon Babe on Instagram or Facebook to preview the week’s flavors before you shop, and be sure to stop by early — her handcrafted lemonades have quickly become a market favorite.