Great Grandfather DeLucia made the earliest Del's Frozen Lemonade in 1840 in Naples, Italy. During the winter he carried snow into nearby caves and insulated it with straw. When summer arrived and the local lemons were ripe and flavorful, he mixed their juice with just the right amount of sugar and snow. Thus making a refreshing drink, which he sold at the local market. Fruit ices are popular in Europe, yet none is more loved than the product made from fresh lemon juice. Lemon ices produce the most delicious and thirst-quenching treat.
Grandfather Franco DeLucia brought his father's frozen lemonade recipe to America at the turn of the century. Angelo DeLucia, his son, began work on a machine to produce the frozen lemonade, and on a method of making it a consistently excellent product. In 1948, Del's Frozen Lemonade acquired it's name and became the sole product sold at a little stand in Cranston, Rhode Island. Soon, Angelo had designed the first mobile units in order to serve anywhere in the state.
When Angelo's son, Bruce, entered the family business there were 5 franchises in Rhode Island. Since then, Bruce has made the franchise business flourish and grow. Now, there are many Del's franchises worldwide providing the refreshing, all natural treat to everyone, anywhere, anytime.
Bruce's daughter, Stephanie is now in the family business. She is president of Del's Lemonade's sister company, Francesca Enterprises International.
You may have heard some rumors about needing a straw to drink Del's.We're here to tell you those rumors are not true. Drink a Del's like a true Rhode Islander. Here's the deal:
No straw or spoon required.
Shake the cup. The heat from your hand will slowly melt the ice. Sip right from the cup. No straw needed. Repeat whenever you need an icy treat. Pro tip - using a straw is a dead giveaway that you're either not from Rhode Island or that it may be your first time with a Del's Lemonade. Plus, straws aren't good for the environment so it's a win-win.
DEL’S SHANDY
A thirst-quenching Summer Classic. Del's Shandy is a collaboration made in heaven between two iconic Rhode Island Brands. Del's Shandy brings the all natural lemon or watermelon flavor you love from Del's and combines it with Narragansett's award-winning lager for a shandy that tastes as refreshingly different as a New England summer.
LI’L DINGHY DRINKS
Li'l Dinghy is a new canned cocktail inspired by our very own Del's Lemonade. It's not beer, and it's not malted. It's simply a great cocktail in a can, designed to be enjoyed anywhere the occasion takes you. You can go anywhere with a Li'l Dinghy! Enjoy Del's in a whole new way!
WARWICK ICE CREAM
Del's Lemonade makes its debut in the ice cream aisle thanks to Warwick Ice Cream. It's made with all local ingredients, including the cream and dairy which comes from New England farms. A local collaboration made with local ingredients... and it's ice cream! It doesn't get much better than that.