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Ingredients
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Base Lemonade
Classic Garnish
Strawberry Variation (makes ~1.5 L total)
Cucumber Variation (makes ~1.5 L total)
Method
Base Lemonade
- 1
Make simple syrup
In a small saucepan combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of the measured water. Heat over medium, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool to warm (about 5 minutes).
- 2
Combine lemon and syrup
In a pitcher, combine 1 cup fresh lemon juice and the cooled simple syrup. Stir to combine.
- 3
Add remaining water and chill
Add the remaining 3.5 cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding up to 1 additional tablespoon sugar dissolved into a little water if needed. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or serve immediately over ice.
- 4
Strawberry Variation
- 5
Make strawberry puree
Place 1 cup hulled strawberries in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth (about 20–30 seconds). If you prefer seed-free, press puree through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, using a spatula to extract liquid.
- 6
Make strawberry simple syrup (optional shortcut)
For a more pronounced strawberry flavor, make a quick strawberry syrup: combine the strawberry puree and 1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Warm over medium until sugar dissolves and mixture slightly thickens (3–5 minutes). Cool. This yields about 1/2 cup syrup. Alternatively, use store-bought strawberry syrup.
- 7
Combine with base lemonade
Add 1/2 cup strawberry puree or strawberry simple syrup to the prepared base lemonade (from Base Lemonade section). Stir thoroughly to combine. Taste and adjust: add more puree/syrup for stronger berry flavor or a splash of water if too concentrated.
- 8
Garnish and serve
Serve over ice, garnish with extra strawberry slices and a sprig of mint. Stir before drinking to distribute puree that may settle.
Cucumber Variation
- 9
Make cucumber infusion
Place 1 cup peeled, sliced cucumber in a blender and pulse briefly to release juices (10–15 seconds). Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a small bowl, pressing to extract liquid. Reserve about 1/2 cup cucumber juice. For a stronger flavor, lightly bruise a few cucumber slices and add them directly to the pitcher to steep for 10 minutes, then remove.
- 10
Combine with base lemonade
Stir 1/2 cup cucumber juice or infusion into the prepared base lemonade (from Base Lemonade section). Mix well and taste. If the cucumber flavor is too mild, add a few more tablespoons of cucumber juice or muddled cucumber slices; if too vegetal, dilute with a little cold water.
- 11
