It has long been a tradition on my mother’s side of the family to gather annually to prepare lemonade while sharing embarrassing stories of one another through the years. They call this ritual a family reunion and the making of the lemonade is akin to a religious rite of passage. “Bring your lemons, young one, and you, too, shall be a maker of lemonade.” I have drunk from that sacred vat many times, but never contributed any lemons or sought the ancient family secrets to making great lemonade.
Actually, the last time I attended their reunion I realized the sought-after liquid refreshment wasn’t really that refreshing and decided I could probably do better given my own lemons and a bit of sugar. I was right.
When it’s hot outside, freshly-squeezed lemonade hits the proverbial “spot” when you need a drink. I searched all sorts of recipes online and decided to go with Paula Deen’s version of this summertime staple, but I infused the beverage with fresh mint from my own garden and that made all the difference.
So the next time you’re tempted to attend the family tell-all just for the lemonade, do yourself a favor and make your own while concocting just how you’d like to share those most embarrassing moments.
Lemonade: Liquid Refreshment
When it's hot outside, freshly-squeezed lemonade hits the proverbial "spot" when you need a drink.
Ingredients:
- Sugar - 2 cups
- Hot Water - 1 cup
- Fresh Lemon Juice - 2 cups
- Cold Water - 1 gallon
- Lemon - sliced
- Fresh Mint Sprigs - handful
Instructions:
In a 1 gallon container, place sugar and hot water, and stir until sugar dissolves. Add lemon juice and cold water to render 1 gallon. Stir until well mixed. Add sliced lemon and mint sprigs.
Can serve with additional mint sprig in the glass, but the flavor will infuse the entire batch.
Look Who’s Talking!