RI's favorite drink a DELicious one

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Starting in 1948 as a small stand in Cranston, R.I., Del’s Frozen Lemonade has become the most recognized and loved frozen lemonade business in the state.

“In Rhode Island and a little bit of Massachusetts, we’re roughly around 25 locations with probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 push carts, and about 25 to 30 trucks, maybe more,” said Joseph Padula, the Executive Vice President of Del’s.

As the best beverage for cooling one down on a hot, summer day, Del’s Frozen Lemonade has even extended itself to different states such as Florida, California, and Kansas.

With a variety of delicious, fruity flavors, it is no wonder why the beverage has continually earned a spot at the Best of R.I. Party, the event taking place last night at the Providence Performing Arts Center.

"We have the traditional lemon product. We have the watermelon, the cherry, blueberry, peach, mango, ruby red, grapefruit, and pineapple guava. Then our newest product is the Del’s diet product,” said Padula.

Padula has seen the lemonade business flourish throughout the years. He started working for Del’s at the young age of 14.

“…I moved into the storefront operation of waiting on customers and serving the public, doing the register and selling product,” said Padula.

Besides knowing how to operate the business, Padula knows the proper technique to fully enjoy a Del’s Frozen Lemonade.

“When you’re drinking a Del’s, you want to hold it in the palm of your hand and you want to take the can, squeeze it and kinda just swish it around and just drink it,” said Padula.

Del’s has not only served Rhode Islanders fresh lemonade for years, but they have also shipped the tasty beverage to local military members around the world serving our country.

“I think we have more potential, said Padula. There are more things we can do. And, I think that it will happen eventually.”

For more information on R.I.’s favorite beverage, visit www.dels.com .