Southern Lemonade Recipes

PERFECT LEMONADE (REAL LEMONS AND SUGAR)

Steps:

• Make simple syrup by heating the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves completely.
• While the sugar is dissolving, juice the lemons.
• Add the juice and the sugar water to a pitcher. Add 3 to 4 cups of cold water, more or less to the desired strength.
• Refrigerate 30 to 40 minutes. If the lemonade is a little sweet, add a little more juice.
• Serve with ice and sliced lemons.

SOUTHERN LEMONADE

Steps:

• Squeeze the juice from 4 of each of the fruits; pour into a gallon container.
• Thinly slice the remaining fruit and set aside for garnish.
• Add water and sugar to juices; mix well.
• Store in the refrigerator.
• Serve on ice with fruit slices.

OLD-FASHIONED LEMONADE

Steps:

• Juice the lemons to make 1 cup of juice. To make your labor easier, FIRMLY roll the lemons between your hand and counter top before cutting in half and juicing.
• In a gallon pitcher combine 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup sugar, and 6 cups cold water. Stir. Adjust water to taste. Chill and serve over ice.

GINA'S HOMEMADE LEMONADE

Steps:

• Make a simple syrup by adding the sugar and water to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over low heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
• Add a gallon of cold water and the lemon juice to a large glass pitcher. Add the simple syrup and the lemon slices. Stir well. Pour the lemonade into tall glasses filled with ice. Garnish the rims with lemon wedges and enjoy icy cold!

BASIL LEMONADE

Steps:

• In a medium sauce pan, muddle the sugar and basil together with a wooden spoon. Add 2 cups of water and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until all of the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow the basil to steep in the syrup until cool. Once cool strain the simple syrup into a pitcher. Add 4 cups of water and the lemon juice. Stir well. Serve over ice with a garnish of basil and lemon.

SOUTHERN-STYLE VANILLA LEMONADE

Steps:

• Cut the lemons in half and scoop the pulp into a blender. Add half of the rinds along with sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 cups of water. Blend until smooth, then strain into a serving pitcher and stir in the remaining water.