A Perfect Glass of Lemonade

Summer is winding down and we don't have many weekend days left.   I thought I'd repost this recipe for Perfect Lemonade that was on our facebook page earlier this summer.  The secret to the perfect batch of Lemonade is making a simple syrup, which is just combining sugar and water and heating it to dissolve the sugar.  Why not make a batch and enjoy the final lazy days of summer!

Old Fashioned Lemonade
Recipe Source~Christy Jordan

1 cup water

1  3/4 cups sugar

1  ½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
additional water
ice
Sliced lemon for garnish

Combine water and sugar in  a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.  Whisk to dissolve sugar.  Remove from heat and let cool.  I often make a double or triple batch and keep it in the fridge to sweeten tea or other "adult" drinks.  If you are making extra you will need about 2 cups for this recipe.

Pour the simple syrup into a 2 quart pitcher along with the 1 1/2 cups lemon juice.  Stir and add enough water to make 2 quarts.  Stir and serve over ice.  Check for perfect blend of sweet and tart.  Just add more simple syrup if you want a sweeter lemonade or more lemon juice if you find it too sweet.

Cooks Notes:  

To juice lemons:  Put the lemon in the micro for about 15-20 seconds and then roll on counter pressing firmly and it will release more juice.  It will probably take 8-10 large lemons.  If you get extra just freeze in ice cube trays.  You can also juice extra lemons and freeze in 1 1/2 cup increments so all  you have to do is thaw the juice and you would be ready to go!

I have a handy lemon/lime juicer that I got at Williams-Sonoma that catches the seeds.  I do juice the lemons into a bowl with a strainer over it, because my kids have a strong dislike of pulp.

We sometimes mix with a carton of partially thawed strawberries to make strawberry lemonade.

Enjoy!

Kim