You know the old saying “your eyes are bigger than your stomach?” Well, my eyes are totally bigger than my stomach. Even more so, when I go grocery shopping, I always buy more than I need. I know. It’s absolutely horrible. I just have this fear of running out of something. The mere thought of having to go back to the grocery store is enough to make me have a panic attack. Thus is the case that I ALWAYS buy more than I need. This normally doesn’t go over well with Zach, but I think he has just learned to deal with it. This recipe is a result of that vice. I had wayyyyy too many strawberries that were on the verge of going bad, and the only way I thought to use them up quickly was to make strawberry lemonade. Lemonade is one of my favorite things on the planet, and even though Zach doesn’t like lemon-flavored things, he DOES love lemonade (but I think this is because it’s super sweet — tart lemonades don’t go over well with him). I mean who doesn’t love lemonade?! That’s just craziness. This recipe is perfect for a picnic, and with Memorial Day right around the corner, I thought it was the perfect time to post this recipe!
 |
 |
If there could be one thing annoying about making lemonade, it’s the squeezing the lemons part. You need a lot of lemon juice, and the pre-squeezed stuff you buy at the store just isn’t going to cut it. You have got to actually squeeze it yourself. I know this is annoying, but it is totally worth the 5 minutes it’s going to take you (10 minutes if you are as weak as I am — hey I’m a runner, and seriously lack in upper body strength). I also find that it is a great way to release some fury!
This recipe in particular is very sweet because I like my lemonade very sweet. I know many of you are trying to cut down on your sugar intake. You may subtract some of the simple syrup if you’d like, and if you wish to have a more tart lemonade, then just sub in that simple syrup for some lemon juice. This recipe is 100% to taste, so it may take you a time or two of making it to get it just right, but when you do get it right, you will never by store-bought lemonade again!
I hope everyone is having a great start to their weekends. I mentioned on Facebook yesterday that I was sorry for being absent these past couple of days. I know. I’m better than this. My sister, Kara, is coming in to town, and I have been preparing for her arrival. The greatest thing about Kara coming to visit is that she will eat just about everything. With just Zach and I (and Cilantro) here, we can never finish all of the recipes I blog about. Kara on the other hand is the perfect taste tester, so you can see why I’m so excited! It’s supposed to be a beautiful weekend here in CO, with temperatures in the mid-80s and sunshine galore. I can’t wait.
Dulce de leche brownies and pomegranate salsa are coming your way soon, so stay tuned!
 |
 |
Lemonade is so simple to make, why not make it from scratch yourself! Strawberry lemonade is sure to be a hit in the upcoming warm Summer months!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 cups water
- 2 pints strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup cold water
- 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup club soda
- 1 cup cold water
- ice
Instructions
- First, prepare your simple syrup. In a large saucepan, combine the 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar and 3 cups water over medium-high heat. Stir over medium-high heat, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- In the pitcher of your blender, combine the strawberries, 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup cold water. Pulse until completely smooth. Set aside.
- In a gallon-sized pitcher, add about 3 cups of ice. Then add the lemon juice, club soda, cold water, strawberry puree and simple syrup. Stir to fully combine.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge for a couple of days.
- This recipe makes approximately 1 gallon of strawberry lemonade.
- Garnish with strawberries and lemon slices if desired.
- This recipe is very sweet. For a more tart lemonade, eliminate the simple syrup by 1/2 a cup and replace with 1/2 a cup more of lemon juice.
Notes
Hardware: * Measuring Cups * Measuring Spoons * Wooden Spoons * Large Saucepan * Blender * Sharp Knife * Cutting Board * Gallon-Sized Pitcher *
 |
 |
 |
