SIMPLE LEMONADE
1 c. water
5 lemons
¾ c. sugar
4 c. ice-cold water
½ c. fresh mint
Ice cubes
Take one lemon and extract its juice into a small bowl; keep aside. Take two lemons, remove their outer skin and put them in a deep bottomed pan along with water and sugar. Keep the pan on low heat and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Cut a few mint leaves into small pieces and add them to the water once it starts boiling. Then keep it for cooling. Cut the remaining two lemons into thin slices and place them in a large serving jug or pitcher. Pour the sugar mixture into the jug or pitcher through a sieve and add the lemon juice that was kept aside earlier. Add cold water and ice cubes and mix well.
ANOTHER SIMPLE LEMONADE
1 c. lemon juice (4-6 lemons)
1 c. water
1 c. sugar
3-4 c. cold water
The secret is to dissolve the sugar first so the lemonade mixes well. Heat the cup of water and the cup of sugar in a small pan until the sugar is completely dissolved. Put all ingredients into a pitcher and stir; then refrigerate for 30 minutes or more or you could just add ice. The sugar and water can be adjusted to suit individual tastes.
WATERMELON LEMONADE
½ c. lemon juice
½ watermelon
1 c. water
1/3 c. sugar
Peel the outer layer of the watermelon; remove all seeds and cut it into pieces. Blend the watermelon pieces with water to make a fine juice. Take a large pitcher; add lemon juice and sugar, and pour in the watermelon juice through a sieve. Mix well until the sugar dissolves. Chill and serve with added ice to it.
PARTY LEMONADE
12 lemons, thinly sliced
3 c. white sugar
4 trays of ice cubes
8 c. cold water
Thinly slice lemons crosswise. Try to remove as many seeds as possible. Put lemon slices into a large punch bowl. Pour sugar over the top of the lemons. Using a potato masher or wooden spoon, pound lemons and sugar until sugar is dissolved and lemon slices are broken. Add ice cubes and stir in cold water. Serve in tall glasses.
BRAZILIAN LEMONADE
2 limes
½ c. sugar
3 Tbs. sweetened condensed milk
3 c. water
Ice
Wash limes thoroughly. Cut off the ends and slice into eight wedges. Place limes in a blender with the sugar, sweetened condensed milk, water and ice. Blend in an electric blender, pulsing 5 times. Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove rinds. Serve over ice.
EASY STRAWBERRY LEMONADE
1 (12-oz.) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
4½ c. water
1 (10-oz.) pkg. frozen strawberries, partially thawed
In a large pitcher, mix together lemonade concentrate and water. Stir in strawberries.
PINEAPPLE LEMONADE SWITZERS
Syrup
3 c. pineapple juice
3 lemons, juiced
1 c. white sugar
½ c. honey
In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine pineapple juice, lemon juice, sugar and honey. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Allow to cool, then refrigerate overnight.
6 slices lemon
1 (2 liter) bottle carbonated water
Fill 6 glasses with ice. Place a slice of lemon in each glass. Pour in 2 fluid ounces of pineapple lemon syrup. Fill glasses to top with carbonated water.
REFRESHING CUCUMBER LEMONADE
1 c. water
½ c. white sugar
1 cucumber, sliced
6 lemons, juiced
Make simple syrup by stirring the water and sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat; heat until just about to boil and the sugar has dissolved. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes or until needed. Place the cucumber slices in a blender or food processor; blend until mashed into a pulp. Pour the cucumber pulp into a fine mesh strainer placed over a bowl to catch the liquid; allow to sit until you have about 2/3 c. liquid from the cucumber, about 15 minutes. Stir the simple syrup, cucumber liquid and lemon juice together in a pitcher. Serve cold.
PINK LEMONADE
¾ c. sugar
3 c. water
2/3 c. fresh or frozen lemon juice
1/3 c. cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
In large nonmetal pitcher, combine all ingredients. Stir to dissolve sugar. Serve over ice.
RASPBERRY LEMONADE
2 (12-oz.) can frozen raspberry-lemonade concentrate
6 c. water
1½ tsp. lime juice
2 (12-oz.) can or bottle lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage
1 c. crushed ice
1 c. fresh raspberries (garnish)
1 lemon, sliced (garnish)
2 c. vodka, optional
In a pitcher combine raspberry-lemonade concentrate, water and lime juice. Stir in lemon-lime soda. Fill each glass with crushed ice and garnish with fresh raspberries and lemon slice.