Sunday, May 18, 2014

Summer Lemonade

Weather just hasn't been cooperative with my blog topics of late--we are still 'enjoying' the temperatures of winter in the Windy City! But...somewhere, someone is savoring summer, sun, sweat, and sipping something refreshing--so, this little post is for you--fresh squeezed, ice cold lemonade!



Yes, you could open a little drink packet, but why? Go for flavor! Savor fresh! Enjoy the sun! And if you are somewhere in the Midwest...at least taste summer and celebrate finishing finals!

The base recipe is from The Pioneer Woman's most recent cookbook 'A Year Of Holidays'. I made a few modifications for my own version as posted, but I still have a few other ingredients to try out: 

--jalapeno
--blueberries
--ginger
--lavender
--blackberries

See what you come up with or just enjoy a great American Classic!

Equipment:
3-qt saucepan
Large water dispenser or jug
Handheld juicer

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups sugar
6 cups water


16-18 lemons, juiced
8-10 limes, juiced
6 basil leaves, cut in thin strips ("juilienned")
3/4 cup raspberries
8 cups cold water
4-8 Tbls agave
ice cubes

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Combine sugar and 6 cups of water over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved.


3. Set sugar syrup aside and cool.


4. Juice all your citrus. You need approx 4-5 cups of lemon-lime juice.  Make extra for level of tartness preferred.



5. Pour juice into a large drink dispenser or jug.


6. Add 75% of simple sugar syrup.  Save the remainder to adjust your preferred level of sweetness at the end.


7. Fill jug / dispenser with ice.


8. Add chopped basil.


9. Add 8 cups of water.


10. Adjust for tartness and sweetness. Add more juice, sugar syrup, agave syrup or water.
11. Garnish with real slices of lemon, lime, and berries.



Say Ahhhhhhh to 'No More Homework'.  Happy Summer Break!


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