I love lemonade. My favorite, though, is a concoction that my mom makes whenever one of us get a cold. She boils ginger and infuses it with fresh lemon juice and honey. Makes me feel better every time.
12 Luscious Ways to Enjoy Lemonade
Photo: yosoynuts
Whether you’re planning a summer tailgate party or simply want a refreshing hot-weather beverage to serve at your next dinner party, whipping up homemade lemonade is a great way to get in the summer groove. It’s also a super affordable treat. Here are 12 luscious ways to enjoy this classic concoction throughout the summer. (See also: 8 Natural Ways to Make Water More Flavorful)
1. Add Rosewater
I was first exposed to this in Kuwait, but it’s quite tasty and easy enough to whip up on your own. Simply purchase a bottle of rosewater at the nearest Middle Eastern market and splash some into a cold glass of icy lemonade. This is fun to serve with za'atar-seasoned mozzarella and tomato cocktail sandwiches or any other Arabian-inspired dish.
2. In an Arnold Palmer
If you’ve never had one of these, they are a breeze to prepare at home. To make a classic Arnold Palmer, you simply mix one part iced tea with one part lemonade. Yup. That’s it. It’s quite refreshing to enjoy after an outdoor fitness activity or with your favorite homemade rhubarb treat.
3. Blend It With Mint
Another Arabian favorite from my time in the Gulf. This recipe for minted orange lemonade is perfect for backyard barbecues where you’re serving foods from the region or grilled lamb kabobs seasoned with succulent dry rub seasoning blends like garam masala.
4. Whip in Some Strawberries
Berries are an affordable backyard produce item and a great way to jazz up your summer menus. If you happen to have a couple of cups of extra sliced strawberries kicking around the fridge, try including some in this blended strawberry lemonade recipe.
5. A Frozen Gin Cocktail Slush
As I mentioned some time ago in this once-a-month cooking for the bar article, frozen cocktail slushies are some of my very favorite freezer recipes. Try the gin and lemonade recipe for a fresh summer drink you can serve in a flash.
6. Spiked Ginger Lemonade
If you’re a ginger beer fan, then you’ll love this spiked ginger lemonade from the Drink and Cocktail Recipes website. Serve a round of these with chilled finger sandwiches and miniature fruit kabobs for an easy summer happy hour.
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7. Splash in a Bit of Pomegranate
One of my favorite things to pick up when shopping at Costco is bottled pomegranate juice. Not only is it a great add-in for iced tea, it’s also phenomenal when added to a tall, cold glass of lemonade. It only takes a little to liven up the flavor, and the color explosion is very attractive in a glass with ice.
8. Enjoy a Yogurt Smoothie
Prefer a thicker drink? This lemonade and strawberry smoothie recipe from the people at Web MD delivers. The ingredient list is short and the flavor pairing is brisk. Just what you want when the weather gets warm.
9. Chop Up a Cucumber
Cucumber recipes are a great way to lighten things up with your summer menus, but have you ever considered adding some to your lemonade? One or two medium sized cucumbers per blender batch should do the trick, and they add a bit of color as well.
10. Break Out the Basil
Mint isn’t the only herb that can enhance the lemonade experience. This basil-infused watermelon lemonade is a great mocktail to serve at baby showers or as an unusual dinner beverage instead of sparkling water.
11. Punch It Up
There are numerous online punch recipes for this citrusy treat, but when I found this cranberry-lemonade punch idea I had to include it. It’s perfect for alternative Thanksgiving menus, especially if you are celebrating the holiday somewhere warm.
12. Load in the Lavender
Flavoring lemonade is just one of many uses for lavender, but it’s one that matches well with any French menu and is perfect extra drink for a Mommy and Me tea party where not everyone may be consuming caffeine.
These 12 suggestions are my favorite ways to enjoy lemonade from May to September. What are your most beloved lemonade recipes?
Best of Wise Bread
YUM! These sound like absolutely delicious ways to jazz up some regular old lemonade. Ardnold Palmers are probalby my favorite drink all year round- they make canned "hard" ones now, gotta try them! And adding the flavor of pomegranate to any juice drink instantly makes it tasty, good idea to throw it in some lemonade!
