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When Life Gives You a Lemon: 5 Unique Lemonade Recipes

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May 9, 2013

Lemonade is a staple when hot weather emerges. But there’s no fun in just sticking with the basic recipe. There are a number of ways to liven up your lemonade! All these recipes are surprisingly refreshing and incredibly tasty.

Here are 5 unique lemonade recipes that are sure to impress the children and adults alike.

Spiced Lemonade

Say goodbye to boring lemonade. This recipe has spice and pizzazz like no other. The fennel and star anise make a truly inspiring beverage that will keep you coming back for more.

Ingredients:

  • 3 lemons juiced
  • Grated ginger (about 1/2 inch of ginger)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 star anise (whole)
  • 1 teaspoon of fennel seed
  • 1 cup of ice
  • Fresh mint leaves (to taste: I use a small handful)

Directions:

Toast fennel seeds and star anise on the stove, 15-30 seconds until lightly toasted. With an electric grinder, grind the star anise and fennel until it is a powder. Add the powder and all the remaining ingredients into a blender and blend until all the ice is crushed. Serve immediately.

Strawberry Basil Lemonade

This is a refreshing twist on standard lemonade and incorporates both strawberry and basil. You can even add vodka to make a tasty, adult-only beverage for those hot days.

Ingredients:

  • 8 lemons juiced (if juicing by hand use 10 lemons)
  • 10-15 strawberries
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil
  • 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 cups water
  • 1/3-1/2 cup of vodka (optional!)

Directions:

Add all your ingredients together and blend in a blender for approximately 30 seconds. Garnish with a basil leaf and serve over ice.

Dijon Lemonade

It may sound less than appealing, but if you can get over the fact that the drink contains Dijon mustard, you will definitely love it. This is another lemonade recipe that can easily be turned into an adult-only beverage with a little spiced gin.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lemons juiced
  • 3/4 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup spiced gin (optional!)
  • Lemon wedge or cucumber for garnish

Directions:

Juice your lemons and mix with water and sugar. Mix until sugar is dissolved. Add in Dijon mustard and stir until fully incorporated. Add gin if desired. Serve cold over ice.

Watermelon Fennel Lemonade

This is a tasty twist on lemonade that uses the sweetness of watermelon with the licorice flavor of fennel.

Ingredients:

  • 3 lemons juiced
  • 1/2 cup watermelon juiced
  • 1/2 fennel juiced
  • 1 cup water

Directions:

Juice all items and then blend. Serve cold over ice.

Blackberry Lemonade

Blackberries are almost in bloom and make a fantastic addition to any lemonade recipe. Here is a wonderful blackberry lemonade recipe that the whole family will love.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 cup blackberries
  • 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 cups water

Directions:

Heat one cup of water on stove until boiling and add in sugar. Stir sugar until fully dissolved. Blend the blackberries with the lemon juice and strain to remove any seeds. Stir the remaining ingredients together and serve over ice. Garnish with lemon wedge or mint leaf.

What is your favorite lemonade recipe?

photo credit: miss karen via photopin cc

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