Drinks Recipe
Make Drinks Recipe in just 25m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Simple Iced Lemonade (base)
Optional Variations & Garnishes
Method
Simple Iced Lemonade (base)
Make simple syrup
Combine 1 cup water and 3 tablespoons granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar fully dissolves and the liquid is clear (do not boil). Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature (about 10 minutes).
Juice lemons
While the syrup cools, juice fresh lemons until you have 1 cup of lemon juice, straining out seeds and pulp if you prefer a smoother drink.
Combine and dilute
In a pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup and 1 cup lemon juice. Add 3 cups cold water and stir. Taste and adjust: if too sweet, add more water; if too tart, add up to 1 additional tablespoon sugar dissolved into the pitcher or a little more simple syrup.
Chill and serve
Add 2 cups of ice to the pitcher or fill individual glasses with ice, pour the lemonade over ice, stir briefly, and serve immediately.
Optional Variations & Garnishes
Mint-infused lemonade
Lightly bruise 6 mint leaves with the back of a spoon to release aroma. Add bruised mint to the pitcher after combining lemonade. Let steep 10 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate 30 minutes for stronger flavor. Remove mint sprigs before serving or leave a sprig in each glass as garnish.
Fizzy lemonade
To make sparkling lemonade, replace up to 1 cup of the cold water in the base recipe with 1 cup chilled sparkling water just before serving. Gently stir to preserve bubbles.
Honey-sweetened version
If using honey instead of granulated sugar, warm 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons honey until honey dissolves, cool, then proceed as with the simple syrup-based recipe. Note honey will add a floral note and darker color.
Berry lemonade
Muddle 1 cup fresh berries (strawberries or raspberries) in a bowl or measuring cup until broken down. Strain through a fine mesh if you want a smooth color, or leave pulp for texture. Stir the berry puree into the finished lemonade and adjust sweetness to taste.
Garnish and serve
Add thin lemon slices and remaining mint leaves to the pitcher or individual glasses for visual appeal. Serve over ice immediately.