by Victoria Tiegert

Created on: August 31, 2008

Lemonade is a summer treat, fresh lemonade is a summer treasure! It is fairly simple to make and takes only lemons, water, and sugar. Microwaving the lemons will ensure that you get the most juice possible from them and give you perfect blend.

SUMMER'S FINEST FRESH LEMONADE

*Ingredients
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups sugar
15-18 lemons
5 additional cups water

*Instructions

Bring 1 cup water and 1 1/2 cups sugar to a boil, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Pour into a puchbowl and allow to cool.
Microwave 15-18lemons, 5 or 6 at a time, for 1 minute. Cut in half and squeeze juice. Discard seeds and transfer juice and pulp into the punch bowl, stirring to mix with syrup. Add 5 cups cold water.

To add a more festive touch, measure out 1 1/2 cups of the lemonade. Pour into ice cube trays and add 1 piece sliced lemon and 1 mint sprig into each cube. Freeze. Add to lemonade and serve.

This is a fantastic method for serving lemonade to guests. The beauty of the ice cubes is a great addition to your drink and a special touch that shows you care.

OPTIONS

*Add strawberry syrup and fresh strawberries to taste for strawberry lemonade. This can be done with raspberry as well.

*For adult guests, you may opt to add in one shot vodka per glass. When serving mixed company, be certain not to add the alcohol into the punchbowl, in case little ones serve themselves.

*Leftover lemonade can be frozen for later use. This is also nice to have on hand for those unexpected summer guests. On hot days, it will defrost rather quickly. You can also freeze in ice cube trays to add to iced tea.

*You can replace the lemons with limes for a fantastic limeade. This can also be done with half lemons and half limes.

*To make a soda lemonade, add in 4 ounces soda water (seltzer water) and 2 ounces shaved ice to each glass. Stir vigorously in a shaker with a spoon, strain into a 12-ounce glass, fill the glass with seltzer (soda) water and stir with a spoon.

*For a creative serving style, try this out! Take a good-size watermelon, hollow out the inside, first cutting a small slice from the narrow end to act as a lid or cover, place in a pan on the counter and surround with shaved or cracked ice; then fill with lemonade. When serving, fill a glass one-fourth full of shaved ice, add one or two pieces of the melon taken from the inside, then fill the glass with lemonade and serve with straws and napkins. I found this idea on http://www.homemade-dessert-recipes.com/lemonade-rec ipes.html and have found it to be a big hit at barbecues and picnics.

Anyway you serve it, fresh lemonade is a crowd favorite in the summer. A sure way to cool down on hot days, with a great flavor. A lttle sweet, a little tart, cools the body warms the heart...lemonade.

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