As the old saying goes: “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” Simple enough sage advice, but how many people—when faced with an entire large bag of lemons—actually know how to turn them into the best lemonade you have ever tasted? I am going to go out on a limb and say, “very few!”
For several generations since the 1950's, lemonade has been something that comes as a pre-made concentrate out of a freezer container. Or more recently, for many, “lemonade” has been coming from an envelope of powdered mix that is full of chemicals. Well, the only chemical compounds in my recipe are: lemon juice, water, and sugar!
Since this is a rock & roll collection of recipes, I have also included some lemonade cocktail suggestions to go with it. They include Gin & Lemonade, Vodka & Lemonade, and even a Lemonade Mojito.
With lemonade, the only things you have to remember are amount and proportion. Take it from someone who has lemon tree in his front yard—me! Follow this recipe and you will have the best lemonade on the planet!
Ingredients:
—4 cups fresh squeezed Lemon Juice (from approximately 12 to 20 lemons)
—4 cups of Water
—2 cups of Sugar
—2 cups of Ice
Directions:
Using either an electric citrus juicer, a hand held citrus reamer, or just your two hands, juice a dozen or more lemons to produce four cups of juice. Obviously, remove any seeds from the juice, but allow as much pulp as you like. Pour into a pitcher, or punchbowl-sized mixing bowl.
Add the water and sugar, and stir it together. Add two cups of ice, to further dilute the mixture, and to instantly cool down the lemonade. That’s it. Now you have the formula for the ultimate lemonade!
OK, so now that you have it, other than enjoy it as it is in a tall or short glass, what are you going to do with all of this lemonade?
Well, here are a few suggestions: Gin & Lemonade, and Vodka & Lemonade! To fulfill this recipe, fill a large glass with ice, and add one or two shots of either gin or vodka. Then fill the glass with fresh lemonade, garnish with a lemon slice. Stir, and enjoy!
And while we are on the subject of “boozing up” your freshly squeezed lemonade, another great suggestion is making a Lemonade Mojito. To accomplish this, take a sprig or two of fresh mint leaves, and place them in the bottom of a tall glass. Add a teaspoon of sugar, and mash the mint leaves and sugar together with the handle of a wooden spoon. Add one or two shots of light or dark rum, and fill the glass with fresh lemonade and ice.
I have only one word to say in summation: “Cheers!”