We're coming into the last few weeks of summer an I'm really struggling to say goodbye to the warm nights and 9am sun sets. This still hasn't stopped me enjoying the last few rays of sun shine and rustling up my favourite summer drink which is: Cloudy Strawberry Lemonade.
I honestly don't think it can get any better having an ice cold glass of this in your hand with a pic-nick blanket and getting into your favourite book. You could easily put this in sealed bottles and take it to garden parties or to the park to enjoy with a crust-less cucumber sandwich and a slice or two of Victoria sponge cake. Truly British!
Ingredients:
2 Cups of Water (1 Pint)
1 Cup of Sugar (200g)
1 Cup of Lemon Juice (200ml)
1tbsp of Lemon Zest
2 Cups of Sparkling Water (750ml)
1 Pint of Strawberries (500g) Hulled, Cleaned and Halved
Ice Cubes
Fresh Mint
Extra mint sprigs and strawberries for decoration
Equipment:
Blender
Jug & Glass
Sieve
Wooden Spoon
Medium Pan
Scales/ Cup Measurements
Grater
Method:
1. In a large pan, measure out your water and sugar and empty it into the pan. Place the pan on a medium - high heat and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally. When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat until all the sugar has all dissolved in the water.
2. While your water and sugar is boiling, Prepare your lemon juice and zest. It's probably best to zest the lemons first and then juice them but since I have no common sense, I did it backwards. Still worked fine. I recommend rolling the lemons before juicing as you get the most from them that way.
3. I put the juice and zest into a measuring jug as it was easier to pour into the sugar syrup.
4. Take your sugar syrup off the heat and reduce the heat to low. Pour your lemon juice and zest into the pan and stir.
5. Return the pan back to the heat on low and stir occasionally for 2 minutes. Once that's done, turn off the heat and transfer it back to the jug. Again, you don't have to do this but it makes it a lot easier to pour unless your pan has a spout.
6. Place a sieve over the glass jug and pour the lemon mix through the sieve, making sure it catches all the pip's and zest.
7. Set the lemon syrup aside to cool then place it in the fridge to cool completely.
8. While you wait for the juice to cool, you can make the strawberry juice to go into the lemonade. Take the tops off the strawberries, half them and give them a wash.
9. Place them into a blender and blend till smooth.
10. Add around 12 ice cubes to the pitcher of cold lemon syrup to keep the drink ice cold.
11. Now pour all the strawberry syrup into the pitcher.
12. Use the a stirrer or in this case, the handle of a wooden spoon and stir the lemonade together.
13. Fill the jug to the top with soda water. I used lemon and lime flavour to make it extra tasty.
14. Add some fresh mint sprigs to the jug.
15. Slice some pieces of lime up and place them into the jug.
16. I saved a few mint sprigs and strawberries for presentation. Add a few more lime segments to your glass and fill 1/4 with the soda water. Now pour your lemonade to the glass and enjoy. You might want to add some more ice cubes at this point to make the drink extra cold.
And that is it, I took a pick-nick blanket in the garden and enjoyed and ice cold glass of this in the sun. It's really lemony, super refreshing and perfect for those hot days or warm nights where you're eating outside with some nibbles and need something super tasty and refreshing. There is nothing more satisfying than making homemade lemonade.
I hope you've enjoyed this recipe, as ever thank you for reading and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. All of my links are at the top of my blog. If you make this recipe, I would love to see the photos! Tag me in anything you make, it really makes my day.
Much love everyone, thanks for reading.
Luke.
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