First-Rate Lemonade

[Sinclairwife]

First-Rate Lemonade

Mashing sliced lemons with sugar gives lemonade
a subtle sweetness and full lemon flavor.

Problem: Fewer things are better on a hot summer day than a tall, cool glass of homemade lemonade. However, homemade lemonade often turns out too harsh, too sweet, too watery, too pulpy, or too gritty (from undissolved sugar).

We wanted a smooth lemonade with full lemon flavor, balanced by just the right amount of sugar.

Mash sliced lemons with sugar until a syrup is produced
(thereby releasing all of the citrus oils and fully dissolving the
sugar), then combine the lemon mixture with the correct amount of water.

Use a deep, narrow bowl for mashing the lemons to protect
yourself from wayward squirts of juice.

CLASSIC LEMONADE

Makes a generous 1 1/2 quarts, serving 6 to 8

If you like, scrape the pulp from a couple of mashed lemon slices
into the pitcher to make a more pulpy lemonade. Adding one tablespoon of grenadine turns the lemonade pink and imparts extra sweetness.

10-12 medium lemons, scrubbed well, halved pole to pole, all halves sliced thin
1 1/4 cups sugar
Pinch of salt (optional)
5 cups cold water

1. Mash lemons and sugar (and salt, if using) in large, deep bowl or
saucepan with potato masher or wooden spoon until lemon slices give
up their juice, sugar is dissolved, and juice is thickened to syrup
consistency, about 4 minutes. Pour half the lemon slices and syrup
through large sieve over bowl or saucepan; press on solids with
masher or back of wooden spoon to release as much liquid as possible.
Discard solids; transfer liquid to serving pitcher. Repeat process
with remaining lemon slices. Stir in water until blended. Chill well
and stir to blend before serving, over ice if desired.

LEMONADE BY THE GLASS

Yields about 1 generous cup

Follow recipe for Classic Lemonade, reducing number of lemons to 2,
sugar to 3 tablespoons, and water to 3/4 cup, and using small bowl
and sieve.


MINTED LEMONADE

Like the ginger variation below, the mint flavor in this lemonade is
mild, to complement the lemon. Follow recipe for Classic Lemonade,
adding 2 cups washed fresh mint leaves to lemons and sugar before
mashing.


GINGERED LEMONADE

Follow recipe for Classic Lemonade, adding 3 tablespoons grated fresh
ginger to lemons and sugar before mashing.

RASPBERRY LEMONADE

Follow recipe for Classic Lemonade, adding 1 1/2 cups fresh or thawed
frozen raspberries to lemons and sugar before mashing.

SHANDY

Makes 1 cup

My friend introduced me to this British
drink. Other versions substitute ginger beer, ginger ale, or lemon-
lime soda for the lemonade. We tested different ratios of beer to
lemonade and preferred 1/3 beer with 2/3 lemonade. For a stronger beer flavor, increase the ratio.

1/3 cup beer, preferably dark or amber lager, or light or pale ale,
well chilled
2/3 cup lemonade, well chilled

Pour beer or ale, then lemonade, into glass. Stir very gently to
avoid creating foam, and serve immediately.

[Suezy]

Thank you for posting this. It gets really hot in Nevada - and I never could get this quite right. I'll be buying lemons next time at the grocery store.

Suezy (Sher)

[KKCondrey]

Yummy.


My mom use to make us that and orange ade in the summer. I'm going shopping in a few minutes so I may have to pick up a few citrus fruits and make me some drinks.

[Michelle]

Yum I'd love some of this right now