Liquid Sunshine (Lemonade)


As if you need more sunshine, all you Phoenix-ites.

Yes, I'm talking to you ... with your postings on Facebook about wearing shorts in the winter, and going swimming. You, with your orange- and lemon-tree photos everywhere. And, hey kid! - you going outside ... without 3 layers and a parka ... to draw on the sidewalk ...

Yes, you.


Oh, and by the way, thanks dear friends for letting us come and visit you in Phoenix this winter! We had a great time - enjoying the sunshine, taking photos of all the lemons, playing hopscotch out front ... uh ...

Anyway, I'm going to change the subject now and tell you about the amazing lemonade my friend Amy made when we were visiting! Ready?

Here's how it started, of course:


Lemons off a friend of a friend's tree. Of a quality and quantity that just had to transform into more than mere zest and frozen lemon juice cubes ...

And so, it became liquid sunshine!




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Liquid Sunshine (Lemonade)
makes 1 pitcher
Recipe by my lovely friend Amy 

The time
15 min prep + 1-2 hrs cooling

The ingredients
6 medium lemons, preferably organic
5 c water
1 c fine raw sugar*

*If you don't have this, just grind some of your regular raw sugar in the blender or spice grinder!

**Try to use organic ingredients when you can.

The process
1. Wash the lemons and peel the zest. Save it for later!

2. Cut the lemons in half and juice them - by hand, or whatever fanciness-level juicer you own.

3. Heat 2 c of water and the sugar in a saucepan over med-low heat, until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.

4. Combine everything in a pitcher and stir to mix. Stick in the fridge for a couple of hours, and serve with ice! If you're impatient, as I often am - just add more ice and you'll be set straight away.

The cost
Well, if you're lucky enough to get your lemons for free ... this is amazingly cheap! Just the cost of the sugar - which is maybe $0.25! Otherwise, try to pick up lemons at the farmers market.


And of course my beloved Brisbane is nothing like Phoenix when it comes to sunny, warm-ish winters ...
Amanda xx

Comments

  1. I love homemade lemonade! I try to stock up on organic lemons when the store has them on sale. Otherwise, it's really pricey to make.
    I so wish I could grow a lemon tree where I live!
    Glad you had a nice time visiting with friends.

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  2. @ErikaThanks Erika! I know ... wish our sad little lemon tree would do something besides bloom! Surely that would save me hundreds each year, right? :)

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  3. Definitely! I got organic lemons 3/$1.00 not too long ago, but usually they are around $1.00 each!
    p.s. I found a copy of the book "Bodyworks" online, and I love it. Thanks for referencing that in some of your beauty/health posts. I haven't had a chance to make any of the products, but hope to in the near future.

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  4. The lemonade sounds delicious!
    Can you substitute the sugar for agave or honey?

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Thanks for commenting! Amandaxx