- 10-12 medium lemons, scrubbed well, halved pole to pole, all halves sliced thin
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- Pinch of salt (optional)
- 5 cups cold water
ingredients
directions
Mash lemons and sugar (and salt, if using) in large, deep bowl or saucepan with potato masher or wooden spoon until lemon slices give up their juice, sugar is dissolved, and juice is thickened to syrup consistency, about 4 minutes.
Pour half the lemon slices and syrup through large sieve over bowl or saucepan; press on solids with masher or back of wooden spoon to release as much liquid as possible. Discard solids; transfer liquid to serving pitcher. Repeat process with remaining lemon slices. Stir in water until blended.
Chill well and stir to blend before serving, over ice if desired.
Notes
If you like, scrape the pulp from a couple of mashed lemon slices into the pitcher to make more pulpy lemonade. Adding one tablespoon of grenadine turns the lemonade pink and imparts extra sweetness.
Variations:
Minted Lemonade:
Like the ginger variation below, the mint flavor in this lemonade is mild to complement the lemon. Follow the recipe for Classic Lemonade, adding 2 cups washed fresh mint leaves to lemons and sugar before mashing.
Gingery Lemonade:
Follow recipe for Classic Lemonade, adding 3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger to lemons and sugar before smashing.
Categories
beverage, lemons
Keywords
beverage lemons