Refreshing Lemonade Drink with some Ice Cubes optionally with some Mint, Tea Bag, or Tea mix. It works really well to keep the body cool and hydrated during hot summer days. Start your morning with this energizing drink, it wakes you up and gets things moving. Make it as Sweet and/or Tangy as desired.
Lemon
Use about 5-8 fresh squeezed Lemon Juice if you can (1 C of Lemon Juice) or the stuff you buy in the bottle. Which is what I use all the time, since I usually don’t buy a bunch of lemons. Although freshly squeezed Lemon Juice is preferable, since it contains no additional additives. Not only for the health benefits but for the taste as well.
If however, you do come across a sale or get a bunch of lemons. These freeze quite well. Simply place them into Ziploc bags whole and freeze. Whenever you need Lemon Juice. Let thaw and juice. Whenever you require lemon rind. Just take it out of the freezer and grate. Place back into the freezer when done.
You can also add sliced lemon to the drink. Add the zest from half a lemon, mix it well, and then strain it out.
Citric Acid
Citric Acid can be substituted for Lemon Juice or used in conjunction with Lemon Juice to adjust the sourness. Add according to taste.
Sugar
The White Sugar added, can be anywhere from about 1/2 C to 1 Cup, depending on the desired sweetness. I usually add about 1 Cup just White Sugar by itself or 1/2 C with Honey to taste.
Honey is sweeter than White Sugar, so only a little bit is needed when combining with White sugar, or it can used just by itself to add sweetness, entirely up to you. Other Sweet ingredients that can be added are Lemon Syrup, Raspberry, or Strawberry syrup. Even a bit of Grenadine can be added to shape the overall flavors.
Mint Lemonade
Mint Leaves or Spearmint are a beautiful addition to Lemonade. We grow our own and when making this drink, we pick a couple of the leaves and include them with the Lemonade. Refrigerate the drink for at least an hour for the Mint flavor to be released and intensify.
Orange Lemonade
The Juice from 2 oranges can be added along with the zest of half an orange or some orange slices. Mix well and strain.
You can use about 1/2 Tbl of Orange Blossom Water too!
Pink Lemonade
Pink lemonade gets its color from food coloring or added red syrups such as Raspberry, Strawberry, Grenadine. Other items may be used such as cranberry juice, a splash of beet juice, pomegranate syrup, or raspberry lime tea.
Teas
Various Teas can replace the water to add additional flavor tones. This can offer a wide variety of Lemonades.
Just make the Tea up as you normally would and use it cold in place of or part of the water in the Lemonade or Freeze it into Ice Cubes to add to the Drink when serving.
Tonic Water & Lemonade
A variation in the serving of this is to fill a glass 1/3 or 1/2 of the way with Lemonade and the rest with Tonic Water or Sprite/7 Up.
Lemonade Flavorings
Practically any kind of additional fruit may be added for additional flavoring. Common ones are Grape Juice, Orange, and others like Watermelon, Honeydew, Pears, and Peaches. Some even contain a small amount of ginger.
Adjust and add how you see fit. In the end, it should be a dominant lemon-flavored drink that is both sweet, tart, and refreshing on a hot summer day.
Icy Lemonade
Add about 1 C of Ice Cubes to a blender with a serving of Lemonade and blend.
Equipment
- 1 2 L Pitcher
Ingredients
- 8 C Cold Water
- 1 C Sugar - Anywhere from 1/2 C to 1 C depending on taste
- 1 C Lemon Juice - or 5-8 freshly squeezed Lemons
- To Taste Mint Leaves or Tea Bags - Optional
- As Desired Lemon Slices - Optional
Instructions
- Combine Sugar & Lemon Juice in the pitcher and mix well. Add cold water to fill and mix.
- Optionally add some Mint/Spearmint leaves and/or flavored Tea Bags and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Serve with Ice Cubes and optionally a Lemon slice or wedge.