Lemonade is made for summer. Some will squeeze the lemons themselves. Some will use bottled lemon juice but still make it themselves. Others will buy pre-made lemonade, often with high-fructose corn syrup.
Making your lemonade is so easy. Paying someone else for their water and questionable sweeteners is foolish.
The great thing about making your own lemonade is you can add flavors to the mix. This is a high-water time for amazing fresh fruits in the Northern Hemisphere. Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.
Take some of that great fruit and added that fruit to your homemade lemonade. If some of those strawberries are a bit mushy, they are perfect to put into a lemonade.
Adding the sweetness of fruit means you can reduce the amount of sugar you put in your lemonade. You could even have the fruit be your sugar in a lemonade.
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Personally, I make a batch of "lemon water." Pick your ratio of lemons and water in your favorite lemonade recipe. Combine in a pitcher. Take your fruit and combine with the lemon water in a blender. Serve right away or chill for later.
You get the fresh taste of summer fruit in a refreshing drink. Fruit sugar is healthier than regular sugar and is a great way to get servings of fruit.
Raspberries might seem a bit tart so when using raspberries, you might add some sugar but far less than in a typical lemonade recipe. For those who are into vodka and lemonade. vodka and raspberry lemonade is a game-changer.
Another advantage to using fresh fruit is when you reach the end of the strawberry run, freeze some of those strawberries. They won't freeze terribly well to build a strawberry shortcake but would be great in a late summer strawberry lemonade. Your friends might be a bit envious.
You might find that putting fruit in a lemonade is a bit odd. Lemons are fruit; since they aren't sweet, we forget that lemons count as fruit.
photo credit: me
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