Summer is around the corner and I love this time of year! It means more time with my grandkids, a relaxed schedule and of course endless days of sun, pool and pure bliss! I like to serve refreshing Lemonade on these hot summer days. It's definitely a must-have for fun summer outings like picnics or casual lunches if you are entertaining. Today I am making two different lemonades - traditional classic Lemonade and Strawberry Lemonade. It's the perfect pick-me-up drink!
Course Drinks
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 10 minutesminutes
Total Time 20 minutesminutes
Servings 6people
Ingredients
For simple syrup
1cupsugar
1cupwaterthis is to make simple syrup
1/4cupfresh mint leaves
lemonade
3Tbspfreshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2cupsimple syrupadjust to taste
1/4tspsalt
1/8tspblack peppergrounded
2cupcold waterapproximately
Mint leaves and lemon slices to garnish
Ice
Strawberry lemonade
1cupstrawberriestrimmed and sliced
3Tbspfresh lemon juice
½cupsimple syrupadjust as needed
2cupcold waterapproximately
Ice
Instructions
First make a "simple syrup". Place the sugar, water and mint leaves in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Stir so that the sugar dissolves completely and turn off the heat.
After syrup cools off, strain the syrup to remove the mint leaves.
This syrup can be made in advance and can be refrigerated.
Classic Lemon lemonade
Mix simple syrup, lemon juice, salt and black pepper to the water and pour over ice. Garnish with mint leaves and lemon slice.
Strawberry lemonade
Save few slices of strawberry for garnishing and purée rest of the strawberries with ¼ cup of water in a blender until smooth
Then strain the puree into a bowl to remove seeds.
Stir together strawberry purée, with lemon juice, simple syrup, and water in a pitcher mix it well.
Taste, then add more sugar if desired. Serve over ice. Add few pieces of strawberry to the glass.
Notes
Tip: Every ingredient in this recipe can be adjusted to your taste.VariationsReplace water with soda water. Add one tablespoon fresh ginger juice.