Strawberry Lemonade

Welcome to Summer

Recipe by William

At first glance, my cousin William and I don’t have much in common. He’s a young man with a daughter, and I’m his mom’s age and have never had kids. He’s a career military man, and I work in higher education building websites. He lives down Kentucky way, soon to be on duty in Germany, and I’m in California near the coast. He’s got a couple of dogs and I have goldfish. So what do we talk about? Family, food, and home. We’re both happily married (his wife is a Robin too) and like hanging out at home. Like me, William likes to experiment in the kitchen and make up new recipes. This recipe is his creation, and it’s perfect to celebrate the start of summer today in the northern hemisphere. The longest day of the year calls for some seasonal refreshment!

Citrus Reamer Makes Work Easier

Depending on the kind of lemons you use and your taste, you can vary the type and amount of sweetener. William uses regular (Eureka) lemons and sugar. I had Meyer lemons on hand, which are sweeter, so reduced the sweetener by ¼ cup, and substituted Splenda. Agave or honey could also be used, although you might have to heat the honey with the lemon juice to get it to dissolve. The recipe can be cut in half if you’re short on lemons or strawberries. Happy Solstice!

Variation: Puree Chilled Strawberry Lemonade in Blender

Strawberry Lemonade

makes 1 gallon

8 large lemons

1 lb. strawberries (~1 pint)

~¾ cup sugar

Water

Mint (optional garnish)

Squeeze juice from lemons with a citrus reamer. Strain out seeds. You will have about 1¼ cup juice.

Wash and hull strawberries. Slice strawberries or cut into wedges.

Sprinkle sugar or other sweetener into lemon juice and stir to dissolve. Add to half-gallon size container that can be shaken.

You might want to crush the strawberries slightly to release some juice. Add to pitcher.

Add water to pitcher to make 1 gallon of lemonade. Shake or stir to mix.

Chill and let flavors blend for an hour or more. Shake before serving to distribute strawberries. Add ice cubes and/or garnish with mint sprig if desired.

Serve with a spoon to scoop out any strawberries that linger in the glass!

Seasonal Fruit for Refreshment