STRAWBERRY LEMONADE

I can't think of a more perfect drink for your 4th of July celebration.
Hope you all have a wonderful day celebrating with friends and family!

Strawberry Lemonade
Adapted slightly from Emeril Lagasse

3 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1 cup fresh lemon juice, 5-6 lemons
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
2 cups cold sparkling water or club soda
Ice
Mint sprigs, garnish
Whole strawberries, garnish
Lemon slices, garnish


In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup of water and the sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves.
Add the lemon peel...

and lemon juice, stir, and remove from the heat. Let cool completely.
Strain or simply pour into a clean pitcher. Add the remaining 2 cups of water.

My Little Helper...


In a blender, puree the pint of strawberries...




Add to the pitcher with lemon juice and stir well to combine...


and refrigerate until well chilled...


Add the sparkling water and stir well. Pour over glasses filled with ice and serve, garnished with mint and strawberries.

What I like to do is use pint glasses and fill each one with ice, thinly sliced lemon, mint leaf, sliced strawberry, fill to the top with strawberry lemonade and put the lid on. Use a large bucket, fill with ice and serve your strawberry lemonade pint glasses at a party. There is nothing better then opening a jar and immediately smelling the fresh mint with lemons and strawberries...hands down my favorite summertime drink.





PRINTABLE RECIPE