Aravess Fawcett (née Lowerison), a spirited sea captain's daughter named after his favourite ship, used her shipping trade connections to ensure a steady supply of lemons for her mother Mary's lemonade cordial recipe. Vessie's recipe was such a hit that it was brewed for generations to come at the summer cottages in Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick (on the Northumberland Strait).
Image: Aravess sips lemon tea outside her summer cottage in Cape Tormentine in 1939
Vessie's descendants, the Fisher and McOuat families, continued the tradition of making the family lemonade with their children. This included our future founder, Jill Fisher.
Image: The Fisher and McOuat families enjoying a summer day at the cottage in 1960
After receiving rave reviews from Stratford Chefs School colleagues, family and friends, Jill officially launched Lighthouse Lemonade as a business in Rockwood, Ontario. The brand's name was chosen to pay homage to its Maritime roots, including a photo of the Cape Jourimain Lighthouse on the label, near where Jill was raised in southeastern New Brunswick.
Image: Lighthouse Lemonade's original bottle design, captured in our first professional photo
Lighthouse Lemonade was family-run and grassroots from the beginning. Jill and her four children visited local shops in the Guelph area to pitch the product and began selling it at farmer's markets and craft shows, including One of a Kind in Toronto.
Image: Lighthouse Lemonade participating in the One of a Kind craft show. From left to right: Naomi (Jill's daughter), Kay (Jill's sister), Tori (Jill's niece), Jill, Robin (Jill's daughter)
As part of a selection of artisanal Canadian products, Lighthouse Lemonade was served at the royal reception for the Prince and Princess of Wales (William and Catherine) at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Canada Day.
Image: Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, at the Canada Day festivities in Ottawa, 2011. Credit to TSAI Project, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Lighthouse Lemonade launched its second flavour, Lime-Lemon. The same year, this new flavour was recognized as one of the Innovation Award selections at SIAL Canada, an international food industry trade show in Toronto.
Image: A bottle of Lime-Lemon Cordial on a beach along the Northumberland Strait
Lighthouse Lemonade was featured as the Cape Jourimain Nature Centre's Heritage Signature Drink. Our cordials have been proudly sold in Cape Jourimain's gift shop since 2011.
Image: Bottles of Lighthouse Lemonade in front of the Cape Jourimain Lighthouse, near the Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island
During the covid-19 pandemic at the peak of online shopping demand, Lighthouse Lemonade began shipping its cordials across Canada, direct to customers.
Image: Lighthouse Lemonade's online shop launched in September 2020
As part of its selection of locally-made products, Farm Boy locations across Ontario began carrying Lighthouse Lemonade. With this addition, our cordials were now sold in hundreds of stores across three provinces.
Image: The "LLMobile" in front of Farm Boy in Guelph, Ontario
Lighthouse Lemonade travelled to Guadalajara, Mexico to participate in Expo ANTAD, the largest food industry trade show in Latin America, as part of the Canadian delegation.
Image: Jill and her daughter Robin (right) at the Canadian Pavillion at Expo ANTAD in March 2024
Lighthouse Lemonade launched its third flavour, Orange-Lemon. Stay tuned for more flavours to come!
Image: Lighthouse Lemonade's third flavour was introduced in May 2025
Lighthouse Lemonade becomes an official sponsor of the 2026 Elora Adventure Film Festival (EAFF), designated as 'The Official Beverage of EAFF 2026'.
Image: Partner Spotlight