May 7 is National Lemonade Day, and there’s no better way to celebrate the day than with a cold glass of lemon-y goodness. Let’s put a spin on the traditional version with these fun recipes to try with your preschooler.
Best Homemade Lemonade Ever
When life hands you lemons, you make the Best Lemonade Ever. Tart, sweet, and easy to make, this recipe is refreshing and will sweeten your day in no time.
You will need:
- Sugar and Water: To make simple syrup, all you have to do is dissolve sugar in boiling water.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed juice is best but you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch.
- Ice: Add just enough before serving, but not too much that it will dilute the lemonade.
Directions:
- Juice the lemons: Firmly roll the lemons around on your counter, which releases the juices and makes your job much easier. Cut the lemons in half lengthwise, squeezing out the juice by hand or by using a juicer.
- Make your simple syrup: Combine sugar and water in a small pan, bringing the mixture to a boil and stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
- Stir: Pour cold water into the pitcher, stirring in the lemon juice and pulp, then adding simple syrup.
- Serve over ice and garnish with a fresh lemon slice.
Raspberry Lemonade
This recipe calls for fresh raspberries, to make a homemade raspberry syrup you just can’t find in a store. You only need four ingredients to make this refreshing treat:
- Raspberries: Fresh or frozen but fresh are preferred.
- Lemons: About six or seven. You can use bottled lemon juice but fresh will give the best flavor.
- Sugar: Use granulated sugar, or honey if you prefer.
- Cold water: You will need one cup to make the syrup, with the rest added at the end.
Directions:
- Mix the raspberries, sugar, and water in a small pan and cook over medium-low heat.
- Stir until the sugar dissolves and the raspberries start to fall apart.
- Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and into a bowl. Discard the seeds, pouring the syrup into a pitcher.
- Stir in the lemon juice and rest of the water until just combined.
- Serve over ice, or put in fridge to chill till you’re ready to enjoy it.
Blackberry Lemonade
This Blackberry Lemonade has two distinct flavors: sweet when it hits your tongue, yet tart when you swallow. That’s because the lemon and blackberries work together to result in a well-balanced drink where both flavors are allowed to shine equally. This recipe yields two quarts.
You will need:
- 6 cups of water, divided
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 lemons
- 2 cups fresh blackberries
Directions:
- Bring two cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan with the sugar. Once dissolved, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Juice the lemons: This gives you one cup of freshly squeezed juice. Combine lemon juice and blackberries in a blender until pureed. Strain the mixture and discard the seeds.
- Stir the sugar water, blackberry puree, and four more cups of water in a pitcher.
- Refrigerate until cool or serve immediately by adding ice cubes.
- Garnish with a wedge of lemon.
Strawberry Kiwi Lemonade
Perfect for warm spring days, this strawberry kiwi lemonade is sweet, tart, and refreshing.
You will need:
- 1 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 cups strawberries, chopped
- 5 to 6 kiwis, with skins removed
- 3/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup sugar
Directions:
- Heat the water and sugar in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Do not boil. Let this “simple syrup” cool.
- Add the lemon juice, strawberries, syrup, and kiwis to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Add water and ice to your liking.
- Serve immediately or store in fridge.
Come on a Tour of Country Home Learning Center
We’re always trying new fun things to celebrate each and every day. Come see how we do things here at Country Home Learning Center, where we have a curriculum that is designed to enhance your child’s academic, physical, and social growth. Contact us today to schedule a tour!