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Ingredients
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Apple Juice
Orange Juice
Lemon Juice (Simple Lemonade-style)
Method
Apple Juice
Prepare apples
Wash the apples thoroughly to remove wax and dirt. Core each apple and cut into quarters. If using a blender rather than a juicer, peel if you want a smoother texture (peel optional).
Strain (if desired)
For clear juice, strain blended apples through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a pitcher, pressing solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Leave some pulp for a fuller body if preferred.
Finish
Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice to preserve color and add brightness. Taste and add up to 1 teaspoon sugar or honey if you want it sweeter; stir until dissolved. Chill briefly or serve over ice.
Serve apple juice in chilled glasses over ice. Stir before pouring if solids settled.
Orange Juice
Prepare oranges
Wash the oranges. Roll each orange firmly on the counter to loosen juice, then cut in half crosswise.
Juice oranges
Use a manual citrus reamer or an electric juicer to extract juice from all orange halves into a pitcher. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve if you prefer pulp-free juice; leave pulp if you like texture.
Chill briefly or serve over ice. Pour into glasses and serve immediately for best flavor.
Lemon Juice (Simple Lemonade-style)
Make simple syrup (if using)
If using simple syrup instead of granulated sugar: combine 0.75 cups sugar and 0.75 cups water in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cool to room temperature. (You can also dissolve granulated sugar directly into the juice if preferred.)
Prepare lemons
Wash lemons. Roll each lemon on the counter to loosen juice, then cut in half.
Juice lemons
Use a citrus reamer or juicer to extract juice from the lemons into a measuring cup or pitcher. Strain to remove seeds and excess pulp if desired.
Combine and dilute
In a pitcher, combine strained lemon juice and 4 cups cold water. Stir in 0.75 cups simple syrup or granulated sugar until fully dissolved. Taste and adjust: add more water if too tart or more syrup/sugar if too tart.