Rich Southern Lemonade Food

STATE FAIR LEMONADE

Steps:

• Wash lemons and peel off all the zest using a vegetable peeler. Set peeled lemons aside. Add the lemon zest to a bowl and cover with sugar. Toss to combine. Cover and let sit for a minimum of 2 hours, or up to overnight.
• Bring water to a boil in a pot over high heat; turn off heat and pour in the lemon-sugar mixture. Stir and let sit until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes.
• Pour through a mesh strainer back into the same bowl and discard the zest. Let cool to room temperature, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Cut the lemons in half and squeeze into the bowl. Pour lemonade into a serving pitcher. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill thoroughly before serving over ice, at least 2 hours.

SOUTHERN LEMONADE

Steps:

• Squeeze the juice from 4 of each of the fruits; pour into a gallon container.
• Thinly slice the remaining fruit and set aside for garnish.
• Add water and sugar to juices; mix well.
• Store in the refrigerator.
• Serve on ice with fruit slices.

RICH SOUTHERN LEMONADE

Steps:

• Roll lemons on counter under palms to help loosen juices. Halve cross-wise and squeeze over a sieve/strainer until you have 1 cup of juice.
• Dissolve sugar in hot water. Add to lemon juice.
• Pour into a 2-quart glass or plastic pitcher. Add remaining water and refrigerate. Serve with lemon slices or mint sprigs. Enjoy!

PERFECT LEMONADE

Steps:

• Remove wide strips of zest from 2 lemons with a vegetable peeler (do not remove the pith). Make 2 cups simple syrup (recipe below), adding the lemon zest before heating. Let cool, then pour into an ice-filled pitcher. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 cups each fresh lemon juice and water, and some lemon slices.
• Simple Syrup: To make 2 cups simple syrup, bring 1 1/2cups each sugar and water to a boil, stirring until dissolved. Let cool.