Guest Author - Deborah Adams
Here is the USA we are celebrating the fourth of July and it's hot hot hot! Lemonade and other great fruit drinks are refreshing on a hot summer day and we've got a great lineup of recipes for you. Why not change up some of your everyday drinks with a splash of surprising flavors like kiwi, lime or peaches? Some of the most interesting recipes happen by accident so don't forget to experiment with flavors. Here is a basic recipe for some lemonade and other fruit drinks to start off with. Then choose an added flavoring listed and see if you don't love the change! Ginger or frozen strawberries, blackberries or peaches make interesting additions to great drinks! Honey is also a great sugar substitute for those that prefer that taste.
TIP: microwaving your lemons for 15 seconds before slicing helps get the most juice out of them or you can roll them firmly on the counter until softened and that will also produce more juice.
Basic Lemonade Recipe
1 3/4 cups white sugar
8 cups water
1 1/2 cups lemon juice, freshly squeezed with pulp (remove seeds)
TIP: If you like ginger lemonade peel and thinly slice a 3 inch ginger root and boil it with the water and sugar for five minutes. Strain out ginger pieces before chilling. Continue recipe as directed below.
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled. In pitcher, stir together chilled syrup, lemon juice and remaining 7 cups water.
If you like it zesty you can do even more by tossing the fruit and zest of the lemon into the blender and combining all of it together releasing the rich lemon oils and making a delicious frothy lemonade that quenches the thirstiest of sippers. Talk about purest citrus flavors!
Now.. take your basic lemonade and add a burst of flavor!
Lemonade smoothie topped with strawberries: In a blender process 1 cup plain yogurt, 3/4 cup lemonade and ice until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and top it with some slushy frozen sweetened strawberries. Garnish with lemon or strawberries and serve.
Blackberry Lemonade
Pour lemonade over ice and top with 1/4 cup blackberry topping:
1 cup frozen blackberries
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 c. water
In a medium saucepan combine the sugar and cornstarch. Add the blackberries and mix into the sugar. Turn the heat on low and heat slowly, stiring until juices are starting to release. Add the lemon juice and water and cook on low stirring until simmers well. Strain the syrup to remove seeds or leave then as desired. I prefer using frozen blackberries as they tend to work best in drinks but you can use fresh ones if you like them better.
Pomegranate Frosty Smoothie
2 cups plain vanilla yogurt
1 cup pomegranate juice
1 cup ice
Blend all in blender until smooth. Pour into tall glasses* and top with a few pomegrate seeds.
* wet rims of glasses and dip into coarse sugar for a more decorated edge
Patriotic Smoothie
2 pts. lemon sherbet, softened
1 1/2 c. cold milk
2 c. frozen blueberries
Fresh Strawberries
Can of Whipped Cream
In blender or food processor, combine sherbet, milk and blueberries. Blend until smooth. Place a Strawberry on the rim of each chilled glass and top with a dollop of whipped cream. Serve immediately. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
