When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade – but plain ’ol lemonade is no fun! This summer deserves some added flavor . . . literally! Beat the heat with these delicious lemonade recipes.
Tools:
Tools:Muddler
Lemon squeezer
Cutting board
Large pitcher
Ingredients:
Lemons
Sugar
Water
Fresh fruits
Fresh mint
Agave nectar (optional)
Basic Lemonade
First things first. You won’t be able to stop at just one glass, so it is best to prepare a gallon pitcher at a time. Combine a cup of lemon juice and a cup of sugar with six cups of water. Stir everything together until well incorporated. There you have it! Pop it in the fridge to chill. Now it’s time for the fun part: making flavorful, creative versions using this as your base.
Strawberry Mint Lemonade
4 – 5 strawberries
6 – 8 mint leaves
⅛ teaspoon agave nectar 2 servings
Trim and cut strawberries into thin slices and place them in a glass. Add ⅛ teaspoon of agave nectar and muddle the strawberries until smooth. Express the mint leaves by placing a few in the cup with the muddled strawberries and giving them one firm press. (If you muddle the mint leaves until they break apart their flavor will become far too bitter.) Prepare two tall glasses with ice and pour your strawberry and mint mixture over a strainer into them. Be sure to squeeze all the good stuff through! Fill the rest of the glasses with your homemade lemonade, garnish with fresh (un-expressed) mint leaves, and voilà!
Peach Mango Lemonade
Peach Mango Lemonade½ cup of diced peaches
½ cup of diced ripe mango
⅛ teaspoon agave nectar
2 servings
Place the diced peaches and mango in a cup and add the agave nectar. Muddle everything until well combined and smooth. Divide the mixture into two tall glasses with ice (no need to strain) and fill them up with fresh lemonade. Garnish with a slice of mango. Yum!
Prickly Pear Lemonade
2 prickly pear tunas
⅛ teaspoon agave nectar
2 servings
As desert dwellers, we are familiar with the sweet flesh of prickly pear tunas. Trim and thinly slice the tunas and place them in a cup. Add the agave nectar and muddle away. Once your mixture is smooth, strain it into two chilled glasses and add your lemonade. This is the perfect recipe for a Southwest-inspired refreshment!
Pineapple Lemonade
1 cup canned (or fresh) pineapple chunks 1/8 teaspoon agave nectar
2 servings
It’s summer and hardly any other fruit fits the season better than pineapple. Slice your pineapple chunks into even smaller pieces and place them in a glass. Add agave and muddle. Pour your pineapple mixture into two frosty Mason jars and fill to the brim with lemonade. Garnish with a pineapple ring. Refreshing!
The fun doesn’t stop there. You can use raspberries, cucumbers, oranges, or watermelon — the options are practically endless. It is best to prepare your additions per serving so that the flavors remain fresh. You can always add a shot (or two) of your favorite liquor and give these yummy lemonades some spirited pizazz. Enjoy!
Story and photography by Olivia Belcher
Originally published in Neighbors magazine
Posted by LasCruces.com
