Cat’s Lemonade

Haven’t shared a recipe for a while.  While I was speaking with a friend today, I suggested she make some lemonade and we started talking about how to make it.  
 
 
Okay…I can hear y’all right now saying “Cat’s gonna give us a recipe for lemonade?  Right…like we really need one…Sheesh…mix lemon juice, sugar and water…what’s the big deal! “  LOL
 


Well, I’ll tell ya…the secret to my lemonade recipe is to use cooled simple syrup. This allows the sugar to completely dissolve and blends beautifully with the lemon juice.
 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup lemon juice (approx. 8 medium lemons )
• 4 cups cold water

 
Instructions for Simple Syrup:
1.Mix 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water in a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil and stir frequently until sugar is completely dissolved. 
3. Pour into small jar or pitcher and refrigerate.
 

Instructions for Lemonade:

1. Squeeze lemons to make 1 cup of juice.
2. Pour into pitcher.
3. Add the simple syrup and stir well.
4. Add  4 cups of cold water, stir well and chill.
5. Pour over ice and enjoy!
 

Notes:

• For tarter lemonade, start with 1/2 cup of sugar for the simple syrup.
• For sweeter lemonade, start with 1 1/2 cups of sugar for the simple syrup.
• Once the lemonade is made, you can always adjust it by adding more lemon juice to make it tarter or more simple syrup to make it sweeter.
• I have substituted Splenda, cup for cup, for a sugar-free version.  I have not tried with other sweeteners but am assuming they would work also. 
• You can use this same recipe and use limes to make limeade…will probably take approximately a dozen limes unless they are unusually big.

• You can substitute sparkling water for the 4 cups of cold water for a bit of fizzy fun.
• Before squeezing the lemons or limes, roll them on the cutting board, applying pressure with the heel of your hand. This will make it easier to get the juice out.

 
Special Note:

• For a special treat, you can puree strawberries with a bit of sugar (1 pint of strawberries/2 teaspoons sugar) and then stir 2 – 3 tablespoons of the puree into a glass of lemonade or limeade.
• Do this per glass…do not mix a whole batch unless you plan to finish it immediately.
• You can also add a shot of vodka for an extra special treat!  LOL