There’s nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than a tall glass of ice-cold lemonade. Why else would it be the number one beverage stand owned and operated by kids in every neighborhood across America?
But we’ll admit that day after day of the same flavor can get a little boring. That’s why we’ve come up with these five refreshing spins on lemonade to add excitement to your taste buds this summer.
- Peach Lemonade
Bring 4 cups water, 3/4 cup sugar and 2 cups of chopped peaches to a boil, and allow the mixture to simmer for 3 minutes. Transfer the juice to a blender and mix well.
Pour the mixture through a sieve and into a pitcher. Mix in 1 cup of lemon juice and stir well. Place it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Pour over ice and add a few slices of peach for a garnish — and enjoy your classy and refreshing summer beverage.
- Strawberry Lemonade
If you’re looking for a quick and easy fruity lemonade that both kids and adults will love, this is it. In a blender, combine 1 1/4 pound of strawberries, 2 sliced lemons (peel removed) and 1/2 cup of honey. Mix well.
Strain the strawberry mixture into a pitcher separating the liquid from the solids, then pour in 6 cups of water and stir. Store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Pour over ice and add a few sliced strawberries or lemons for garnish.
- Vanilla Lemonade
While this flavored lemonade is a bit more labor intensive than the first two, we promise the end result is worth the time and effort. First, make a simple syrup by bringing 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of water, 1 halved and seeded vanilla bean, three slices of lemon peel and a pinch of kosher salt to boil, and the let mixture simmer for about 5-10 minutes.
Strain this mixture through a cheesecloth over a pitcher and set in the refrigerator to cool. Once cooled, add 8 to 10 cups of water and stir. Serve over ice with a few slices of lemons for garnish.
- Ginger Lemonade
If you like ginger, you’re going to love this spicy take on a sweet summer classic. Begin by grating 2 centimeters of fresh ginger into a pitcher. Pour the juice from 4 large lemons over your grated ginger, followed by 6 tablespoons of sugar and stir until the sugar has been dissolved.
Strain out the solids and add in 4 to 6 cups of water (depending on how strong you’d like your ginger lemonade to be). Serve over ice with slices of lemons and mint leaves for garnish.
- Lavender Lemonade
Start with a small handful of freshly picked lavender flowers, rinse well and place them into a medium-sized mixing bowl. You could also use a tablespoon of dried lavender flowers if you don’t have fresh ones. Pour in 1 cup of sugar and rub the flowers into the sugar using your fingers.
Next, pour two cups of boiling water over the flowers and sugar mixture and stir well. Cover and allow to infuse in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Strain the infused liquid into a pitcher, then stir in 1 1/2 cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 2 more cups of cold water. Serve over ice with lavender sprigs for garnish.
Treat your guests to one of these refreshing flavors at your next summer get together. You can even add a shot or two of flavored vodka or rum to really get the party started. And if you want to add a bit of flair without spiking the lemonade, we suggest freezing fruit and using them in place of ice cubes to keep your drink cold, without watering it down.
Looking for some other unique beverages to quench your summer thirst? Take a look at our huge selection at Beverage Universe and stay hydrated all summer — and beyond.
