Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade (Summer in a Glass)

Source

1 1/2 c. fresh squeezed lemon juice, strained with a medium-fine mesh sieve
1 c. sugar
5 1/2 c. cold water

Juice lemons and strain until you have 1 1/2 c. juice (takes anywhere from 5-10 lemons depending on size.) Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Add water and stir. Makes 7 1/2 cups (about 2 quarts).

For a larger batch:

4 c. fresh squeezed lemon juice, strained*
2 1/2 cups sugar
14 cups cold water

Makes about 5 quarts

*1 large bag of lemons from Costco makes about 4 cups of lemon juice.

Blackberry Mint Lemonade

2 large batches of fresh squeezed lemonade
1 cup sugar

3 cups water

18 mint leaves, torn
16 oz pkg frozen blackberries, thawed (or 3 cups fresh)

Prepare lemonade according to recipe. Refrigerate. To prepare a simple syrup, combine water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, add torn mint leaves and stir. Allow to cool completely. Place blackberries in blender. Pour simple syrup over blackberries, straining out the mint. Pulse gently in blender, enough to break apart the berries without pureeing them. Add blackberry mixture to lemonade, stir, and serve over ice. Garnish with lemon slices, whole blackberries, and mint leaves if desired. Makes about 2 1/2 gallons.

Mango Lemonade

1 large batch of fresh squeezed lemonade
1 quart 100% mango juice (i.e. Treetop)

So easy! Prepare lemonade as directed in recipe. Add mango juice. Stir. Garnish with lemon and mango slices if desired. Makes about 1 1/2 gallons.

Strawberry Lemonade

1 or 2 large batches of fresh squeezed lemonade
24 oz container frozen sliced strawberries with sugar, thawed

So easy! Prepare lemonade as directed in recipe. Add thawed strawberries, pulsing in a blender first if desired. Stir. Garnish with sliced lemons if desired. Makes about 1 1/4 or 2 1/2 gallons.

Good For You Smoothie

1/2 c. 100% fruit juice
1/2 c. 100% vegetable juice (carrot, tomato, etc.)
1/2 c. nonfat plain yogurt
1 c. unsweetened frozen fruit (all 1 type or a variety)
1/2 an avocado (opt.)
2 Tbs. milled flax seed
1 handful fresh spinach
ice, if desired for thickness

Blend until smooth and enjoy! Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

Cherry Limeade

1 can (12 oz) frozen limeade concentrate
1 (10 oz) jar maraschino cherries, drained, juice reserved
1 2-liter bottle lemon-lime soda
1/2 can water
1 lime

Combine limeade, cherry juice, and soda. Taste. Add water, if desired, to balance tartness or sweetness. Garnish with cherries and lime slices. Makes slightly less than 1 gallon.

Brazilian Lemonade

1/2 c. lime juice
1 c. sugar
6 c. cold water
6 Tbsp. sweetened condensed milk

Mix and serve over ice. Garnish with a small lime wedge. Tastes just like Tucano's! Makes 2 qts.

Watermelon Lemonade

2 ½ cups fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 15 lemons)
5 cups fresh watermelon puree, strained through a coarse strainer to remove seeds
2 cups simple syrup*
7 ½ cups cold water

Stir together and serve over ice. Makes about 1 Gallon. Garnish with a thin watermelon or lemon wedge.

*Simple Syrup: Simmer one part water with one part sugar until sugar is dissolved. Let cool completely.

For an easier version:

2 cans frozen lemonade concentrate
water, as directed
5 cups fresh watermelon puree, strained through a coarse strainer to remove seeds

Mix lemonade as directed on the can.  Add the watermelon puree, and done!  Makes 1 1/2 gallons.