Our little household of two goes through lemonade like woah. Boy do we love that stuff, especially the “Simply Lemonade” – plain, berry, or even lime-aid. We even have cherry syrup on hand so BF can make his own “cherry lime-aid” like they have at Sonic… well not really like they have at Sonic, but ya know… Close enough 🙂
Don’t ask me why I spend money on jug after jug of this stuff at the store when we have a perfectly good lemon tree, full of ripe lemons, in our very own back yard. For no apparent reason, the other day at the store, I picked up my usual jug of Simply Lemonade and said to myself “WHAT are you doing?!”
I placed it back in the cooler, went home, and promptly picked a bunch of lemons. Nothing is easier than lemonade. Ok, that’s not true, plain water would be easier… but not by much.
I made a simple syrup for mine, for no other reason than I wanted to have some extra for cocktails. You could just stir the sugar in, but the simple syrup ensures that the sugar is completely dissolved.
I think next I’ll make berry syrup next, and then my own berry-lemonade. Take that, Simply Lemonade-I don’t need you anymore! (Until lemon season is over…)
Add a splash of X-Rated liquer for a pink lemonade cocktail – YUM
Lemonade
It’s basically equal parts lemon juice and sugar, then water until it’s diluted enough for your tastes.
- 1 C sugar + 1 C water (for simple syrup)
- 3/4 C lemon juice (just happens to be all the juice I got from my lemons)
- 3-4 C water (to taste)
1. In a small saucepan, mix water and sugar over medium heat. Once sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and let cool.
2. Juice lemons (took about 3 of our medium lemons) to get 1 cup of lemon juice. Mix with the simple syrup and water, stir and chill.
*I like mine a little less sweet, so didn’t use all the simple syrup. I also like mine more lemony, so I didn’t dilute as much. Start with 3 cups of water and go from there…
*Alternatively, you could just stir sugar (preferably ultra fine “baking” sugar) into the liquid until dissolved
*Let it chill at least 30 minutes, as it tastes much better once the flavors have mingled and it’s ice-cold
It’s so perfect for those hot days in AZ! Or, like you said, to have on hand for that perfect cocktail mix. We, as busy people, forget sometimes that the best is right there in our own backyard. Can’t wait to try your receipe. Cheers!
After jumping off the crazy train yesterday, I decided that a lemonade cocktail(s) was in order. Went to the backyard, picked some lemons and made your receipe. Your lemons look so much better than mine in Florida. Perfect lemonade! Thanks
Wow, it looks so great, I would add just a little vodka for those days the office won’t stop.
Love the Simple Syrup, it is so…… simple 8)