Gourmet Caterers Orange County

Stay hydrated during the summer with this easy homemade lemonade recipe.

Nothing is more refreshing than a nice ice cold glass of lemonade!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• Optional: For pink lemonade add 1-2 T dried hibiscus flowers
• 6-8 lemons (enough for 1 1/2 cups of lemon juice) plus 2 lemons cut in half lengthwise and sliced 1/8 inch thick
• 6 cups cold water
• Optional: fresh mint leaves for garnishing

Directions, How to Make Lemonade:

• Optional: For lemonade with agave nectar, reduce the amount of water by 1 cup, and add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of agave nectar. Set aside
• For lemonade with sugar: Pour boiling water over sugar, stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Add optional hibiscus flowers if you want them. Set aside
• Juice lemons and strain out seeds and pulp
• In a large pitcher combine sugar water (strain out hibiscus flowers if using), lemon juice, and water
• Add ice and lemon slices
• Garnish with mint leaves and serve

Dissolve the sugar in hot water before mixing the lemonade to ensure that the sugar is evenly distributed. For sugar-free lemonade sweeten with agave nectar or stevia.