Come summer and the first thing that comes to my mind is get lots of lemons and start making lemonades. Sharing here my four favorite ways to make lemonade. It's a sure shot way to beat the heat! These recipes are so easy to make and its a perfect party starter drinks.
1. Simple Lemonade
When you think of making Lemonade, you think its easy mix sugar, lemon and water and it's done. But, let me tell you my friends, this way sugar doesn't dissolve properly and what you end up with sugary drink with sugar lumps at the bottom of the drink.
To make perfect lemonade, you have to make a simple sugar syrup.
Ingredients (4 Servings)
4 cups water divided
1 cup granulated sugar
3-5 lemons
1 cup ice cubes
Method
Use a vegetable peeler to peel the lemon zest into strips. Set lemons aside.
(Lemon zest gives lemony flavor to your lemonade but its totally optional if you would like to omit this step.)
Make sugar syrup: In a medium pan over medium-high heat, bring 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar and lemon zest strips to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium and simmer until sugar is dissolved and liquid is syrupy, about 10 minutes. (Remember, we are not making thick syrup- just make sure the sugar is completely dissolved). Strain and refrigerate syrup until needed.
Juice lemons and add 1 cup lemon juice to a large pitcher (reserve any extra so you can adjust the flavor to your tastes).
Add 1 cup ice cubes, remaining 3 cups water, and lemon simple syrup. Stir to combine and garnish with fresh lemon slices if desired. Refrigerate until chilled.
NOTE:
Choose juicy lemons: Look for lemons that feel heavy for their size and choose medium to large-sized fruit.
Dewax lemons before zesting (optional but will give the best results!): Remove bitter wax from lemons by placing them in a colander and pouring boiling over them. Scrub the fruit with a vegetable brush, rinse with warm water, and allow to dry in the colander or on top of a clean tea towel.
Get as much of the juice as possible: Submerge whole lemons in hot water for 30 minutes or microwave whole lemons for 10 seconds. Roll the fruit firmly under your hand several times before cutting in half and juicing.
Chill lemonade before serving: Lemonade tastes best when ice cold, so make sure you allow plenty of time for chilling.
You can make a big batch of sugar lemon peel syrup and store it in the refrigerator in air tight bottle to use later for any lemonade drinks. Stays fresh for two weeks if kept in the refrigerator.
2. Healthy Sugar-Free Honey Lemonade
This is my favorite way to make lemonade. Healthy and yummy. Made with just honey, water and lemon- no need to make sugar syrup and made in just minutes. Perfect for those busy days or when you have large guests to serve. This easy lemonade drink recipe will definitely become your family and friends favorite drink this summer.
INGREDIENTS (Serves 5)
1 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed is best (about 1lb of lemons)
1/2 cup raw honey, if you like your lemonade sweeter you can add a little more
3 cups water
1 cup ice cubes
INSTRUCTIONS
Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend for 1 minute to mix and dissolve honey.
Serve immediately or store in the fridge until ready to serve.
3. Sparkling Lemonade
This is my husband's favorite way to drink lemonade. Its soothing for your gassy tummy and for those days when you had too much food and help with your digestion.
Ingredients (6 Servings)
4 cups water
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
3-5 lemons
1 cup ice cubes
1 cup sparkling water or club soda
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder
1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
Make sugar syrup by boiling water and sugar with lemon peels and let it cool.
Transfer to a pitcher. Stir in lemon juice, black pepper, roasted cumin powder and salt; cover and refrigerate until chilled.
Discard any lemon strips/peels. Stir in club soda. Serve over ice.
Note: Don't add soda until you are ready to serve to keep the fizz.
The roasted cumin powder and black pepper combination helps with easy digestion and improves metabolism.
4. Very Berry Lemonade
If you are tired of drinking the same type of lemonade, this is definitely a fun way to add berries to your drink and make this colorful lemonade to impress your kids and friends.
You can use a mix of berries for this drink or use strawberries, raspberries or blueberries.
I used raspberries here.
NOTE: Just remember, if you are using sweeter berry such as strawberries you need less sugar.
Ingredients (Servings: 5)
12 oz or 1.5 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup fresh lemon juice, chilled
4 cups water divided
1 cup granulated sugar
1 liter (33.8 oz) sparkling water or club soda, chilled
Fresh mint, raspberries and ice , for serving
Instructions
Make sugar syrup or use the previously stored sugar syrup.
Optional- You can also use honey syrup mix instead of sugar syrup
Place raspberries in a food processor and pulse until well pureed. Force raspberry puree through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl.
In a large pitcher, Pour in sugar syrup and stir in raspberry mixture and lemon juice.
Add in club soda before serving and stir once. Serve with ice and fresh mint or raspberries.
Notes
If you're making this fresh lemonade in advance, wait until you're ready to serve to stir in the sparkling water. Otherwise it'll lose its fizz before you can enjoy it.
Hope you all enjoy these drinks and let me know in the comments which ones are your favorite. Send in your drink recommendations here.
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