Strawberry Lemonade

For some reason, summer in Maryland seems to be extra hot and humid this year.  The air feels like it's just about as thick as honey and we just can't seem to get a break from those high temperatures!  As a result I've been craving lots of cool, refreshing drinks.  I love a good glass of homemade lemonade and I really love strawberries, so I think this recipe is just perfect!

This recipe is great as is, but it's also really delicious with some vodka, rum, or sparkling water added to it.  I love versatile recipes, don't you?  :-)

Strawberry Lemonade

5-8 large lemons (you may need more or less depending on how much juice you get from each one)
Water
2 cups of sugar
1 cup chopped strawberries

Roll each of the lemons on the countertop to loosen up the juices inside.  Juice each lemon (you should have about 1 1/2 cups of lemon juice). Toss the leftover lemon rinds into a pitcher with drinking water. 

Measure one cup of that lemon water into a small saucepan and add sugar.  Bring to a rapid boil and stir over medium-high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved and you have made a simple syrup.  Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool completely.

Meanwhile, combine lemon juice and strawberries in a food processor or blender and process until well-blended. 

In a separate large pitcher, combine strawberry-lemon mixture, cooled simple syrup, and 5 cups of the lemon water.  Adjust flavor by adding more water if desired.  Serve chilled and over ice. 

Makes about 2 quarts

*You can also add more water to the pitcher with the lemon rinds to keep lemon flavored water on hand.


Source: Our Share of the Harvest