Emeril's Strawberry Lemonade

Despite the fact that my kids still have three weeks left of school, it is definitely starting to feel like summer here in the DC area!  The past few days have been HOT, HOT, HOT, with the thermometer up near 100 degrees and 100% humidity.  With heat and humidity like that it doesn't take much to sweat like a pig, with even a quick trip down to the mailbox making me drip like I just ran a marathon.  Although we don't usually have sugary drinks in the house, I am a sucker for fresh cold lemonade on sweltering days like this.     Since my family has a slight obsession with strawberry or raspberry lemonade when we order drinks at restaurants, I was intrigued when  I saw this recipe over at the  Food Network.  The reviews on it were good, so I wasn't too surprised when my family fell in love with the cold, tangy sweet drink, which they drank up in the blink of an eye.  Stay cool!   

 Click here for printable recipe. 

The ingredients:


2 cups  water
1 cup sugar
1 Tbs. grated lemon peel (don't worry it gets strained out)
1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 6 lemons)
1 pint strawberries, hulled and halved (about 2 cups)
2 cups  sparkling water or club soda, chilled
mint sprigs, whole strawberries and/or lemon slices for serving (optional)

Directions: 

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and 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, then strain into a clean pitcher. 

In a blender, puree the pint of strawberries and add to the pitcher with the lemon juice. 

(NOTE:  I opted to strain the strawberries in a fine mesh sieve before adding it to the lemon juice, since  I knew my kids wouldn't like the strawberry seeds in their lemonade.)

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, lemon slices,  and strawberries. 
Enjoy! 

Source:  Food Network

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Here are some of our other favorite strawberry recipes:   (Fresh Strawberry Pie, Strawberry Cheesecake Bars, Fresh Strawberry Frosting,  Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes, and plenty of homemade strawberry jam!)


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