Strawberry Lemonade

Summer has finally arrived and the 4th of July is just around the corner, we all know what that means...BBQ'S, gather up the hot dogs, burgers and brats. Get out the macaroni salad, potato salad and beans. Fire up the grill and have some laughs with family and friends, cute loose and be silly with the kids. As far as I am concerned, the best thing in the world to enjoy on a hot summer day to drink is ice cold lemonade. Not just any lemonade, but homemade strawberry lemonade, sweet and tart and very refreshing. This recipe below my husband and I both feel is better than the strawberry lemonade that we get out at 2 major chain restaurants we frequent.

2 C. -Sugar
2 C. -Water
2 Qt. -Water
4 C. -Fresh Lemon Juice (about 20 large lemons quartered) (and YES the WHOLE lemon, rind, seeds too)
3 C. -Sugar

Strawberry Puree:

1 Qt. - Sliced Strawberries
1/4 C. - Sugar

Side Note:

You can make this a great alcoholic drink by adding a shot glass of whipped vodka or plain vodka to each 16 oz. glass.

In a food processor add half of the lemons and 1.5 cups of sugar, process this mixture to a pulp. Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and turn out the lemon mixture into the strainer to drain. You will need to stir the pulp and press on it a little to help it along. While first batch is straining process the rest of the lemons and 1.5 cups of sugar. When the first batch is done straining toss the pulp and strain the remaining batch. When finished with the food processor wash and dry it then place the berries and 1/4 cup of sugar in and pulse until chunky, pour into a bowl and refrigerate. Once the juice has finished straining pour it into a large pitcher and set aside. In a sauce pan place 2 cups of water and 2 cups of sugar, bring to a boil and simmer until the sugar has melted. Let cool for about 10 minutes then pour into the pitcher with the lemon juice, add cold water up to the 1 gallon mark and stir well to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Place a few pieces of ice into a glass then fill most of the way with lemonade and top off with the strawberry puree. At this point you could add the vodka or your favorite alcohol, stir and enjoy the hot summer evening under the stars.

Makes Roughly 1 Gallon of Wonderful Lemonade…

Click here for a Printable Recipe...