Drinks Recipe
Make Drinks Recipe in just 35m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Classic Lemonade
Iced Tea (Black Tea Base)
Sparkling Fruit Cooler (Non-alcoholic)
Method
Classic Lemonade
Make simple syrup
Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup hot water in a heatproof container. Stir until sugar fully dissolves. Let the syrup cool to room temperature (about 10–15 minutes).
Juice lemons
Roll lemons on the counter to loosen juices, then cut and juice until you have 1.5 cups of fresh lemon juice. Strain to remove seeds and excess pulp if desired.
Mix lemonade
In a large pitcher, combine the 1.5 cups fresh lemon juice and the cooled simple syrup. Add 3 cups cold water and stir. Taste and adjust: add more water if too tart or 1–2 tablespoons more simple syrup if too sharp.
Chill and serve
Add 4 cups of ice to the pitcher or to individual glasses. Pour lemonade over ice, garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves if using, and serve cold.
Iced Tea (Black Tea Base)
Brew tea
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add 4 black tea bags. Steep for 4–6 minutes depending on desired strength.
Sweeten and cool
Remove tea bags and stir in 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (or honey) while tea is still warm so it dissolves. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature (about 20–30 minutes) or place in the refrigerator to chill faster.
Assemble iced tea
Once cooled, pour the brewed tea into a pitcher and add 2 cups cold water to dilute to taste. Stir in 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice. Fill glasses with ice (about 3 cups total across servings), pour iced tea over ice, and garnish with lemon wheels.
Sparkling Fruit Cooler (Non-alcoholic)
Prepare fruit and simple syrup
If using fresh berries or citrus slices, lightly muddle a handful (about 1 cup) in the bottom of a pitcher to release flavor. If additional sweetness is desired, stir 2 teaspoons simple syrup into the fruit.
Combine and chill
Pour 2 cups mixed fruit juice into the pitcher with the muddled fruit. Add 2 cups club soda or sparkling water just before serving to preserve fizz. Stir gently to combine.
Serve
Fill glasses with ice (about 2 cups total across servings). Pour the sparkling fruit cooler over ice, garnish with fresh berries or citrus and mint sprigs, and serve immediately to retain carbonation.