As you know, it’s important to drink a lot of water during the summer to keep your body hydrated. However, you can also drink lemonade that you make at home using fresh lemons. Here’s a fantastic recipe that your entire family will love. Even better, you can use this recipe to make several versions of lemonade.
Ingredients
You’ll need these ingredients to make a base traditional lemonade. Then, you can change its flavor by adding additional items. This recipe makes a half gallon, so if you want to make more, just double or triple the ingredients.
Keep in mind that you can add or reduce the amount of sugar and simple syrup called for based on your preference.
- 4 cups of water
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cups of ice
- Lemon wedges (for garnish)
Directions
In a small saucepan, add two cups of water and one cup of sugar to create syrup. Cook the ingredients on medium to high heat until the sugar completely dissolves. In addition, be sure to stir frequently to avoid burning the sugar.
Next, add the lemon juice, as well as the other two cups of water. Stir well. When finished, pour the lemonade into a container and store it in the refrigerator. Allow the lemonade to chill for at least an hour.
Right before serving, add ice to the glasses and place a lemon wedge on the rims.
Using this same recipe, you can make different flavors of lemonade. Here’s one option you can modify based on the type of fruit you choose.
Fresh Fruit Lemonade
You can use fruits you grow in your garden or buy them at a local farmer’s market. That will enhance the overall flavor. Remember, you can experiment with all kinds of fruits. However, those listed below rank among the most popular:
- Strawberry
- Raspberry
- Blackberry
- Watermelon
- Peach
When making fruity lemonade, you might need to adjust the ratios of water, sugar, and lemon. After all, some have more tart than others. Along with the ingredients mentioned, you’ll need one cup of fruit. Although you can buy frozen, fresh always tastes better. You’ll follow the same directions with a few exceptions.
Step 1
Add the fruit to the water and sugar to make fruity syrup. Bring everything to a boil. Then, let the syrup simmer for about five minutes. The goal is to give the fruit adequate time to soften.
Step 2
After removing the saucepan from the stove, use a potato masher to crush the fruit. Next, let the mixture rest for 10 minutes. During that time, the fruit will seep, which gives the lemonade its wonderful flavor.
Step 3
Now, place the mesh strainer over a medium-sized bowl or measuring cup. Pour the mashed fruit, water, and sugar through the strainer. To ensure you squeeze every drip of deliciousness out, press the fruit mixture with the back of a spoon.
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Step 4
You’ll then pour the simple syrup made with fruit into a glass container. Secure the lid and let it sit in the refrigerator for about an hour. To make fruit lemonade, add the chilled simple syrup, three to four cups of water, and fresh lemon juice to a large pitcher. Afterward, stir it well and refrigerate until you’re ready to enjoy a glass.
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