Cloudy Italian Lemonades

Have you ever wondered where lemonade came from? According to Wikipedia, the earliest written evidence of lemonade has been found in Egypt, dated to around AD 1000. Here a drink made with lemons, dates, and honey was enjoyed by peasants. In 1676, a company known as Compagnie de Limonadiers was founded in Paris. Vendors roamed the streets serving the drink in cups from tanks on their backs. The traditional form of lemonade is known as cloudy lemonade. This is typically non-carbonated and made with fresh lemon juice. Generally served cold, cloudy lemonade may also be served hot as a remedy for congestion and sore throats, frozen, or used as a mixer. Many varieties and flavors of lemonade have evolved as we think of the lemonade flavors and styles today.

Honey-Basil Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup honey
• 2 cups loosely packed basil leaves
• Pinch of salt (I use Redmond salt)
• 7 cups cold water
• Basil leaves for garnish
• straws

Instructions:

1. Combine lemon juice, honey, basil leaves, 3 cups cold water, and salt in a blender. Blend on high until smooth, about 1 minute. 
2. Pour into a pitcher and add remaining 4 cups of water.
3. Chill several hours.
4. Several ways to serve:
5. Chill the glass and fill with lemonade, top with whipped cream and garnish with basil leaves or:
6. Fill a glass with ice and fill with lemonade, top with whipped cream and basil leaves.

Recipe adapted from J.Kenji Lopez-Alt

 

Strawberry Honey Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup honey
• 5 cups water
• 1 cup pureed fresh strawberries
• straws

Instructions:

1. Pour the lemon juice in a large container along with 4 cups water.
2. Combine the honey and 1 cup water over low heat and melt the honey in the water.
3. Add the warmed melted honey water to the lemon juice mixture.
4. Add the pureed strawberries.
5. Chill several hours.
6. Several ways to serve:
7. Chill the glass and fill with lemonade, top with whip cream and garnish with a strawberry or:
8. Fill a glass with ice and fill with lemonade, top with whip cream and a strawberry.

Recipe adapted from the Prairie Homestead

 

Enjoy these two recipes and be creative with a style all your own!!