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Fresh Classic Lemonade Recipe with Herbs for Easy Summer Refreshment

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A refreshing and simple lemonade with a subtle herbal twist, perfect for cooling off on hot summer days. This recipe combines fresh lemon juice, sugar, water, and herbs like mint or basil for a bright, flavorful drink.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 large fresh lemons (about 1 ½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar (150 g), adjust to taste
  • 4 cups water (1 liter), divided (can use half sparkling water for fizz)
  • ¼ cup loosely packed fresh herbs (mint, basil, or rosemary)
  • Ice cubes for serving
  • Optional: honey or agave syrup as a sugar substitute
  • Optional: thin lemon slices for garnish
  • Optional: cucumber slices for added refreshment

Instructions

  1. Roll the lemons firmly on the counter, cut in half, and juice using a citrus juicer to yield about 1 ½ cups (360 ml) of fresh lemon juice. Strain if a pulp-free drink is preferred. (5 minutes)
  2. In a pitcher, combine granulated sugar with 2 cups (500 ml) of warm water. Stir until sugar dissolves completely to create a simple syrup base. (3 minutes)
  3. Lightly bruise fresh herbs by pressing gently between fingers or with a spoon. Add herbs to the sugar-water mixture and let steep for 10 minutes to infuse flavor.
  4. Remove herbs using a strainer (optional). Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and the remaining 2 cups (500 ml) of cold water. Taste and adjust sweetness or water as needed. (5 minutes)
  5. Add plenty of ice cubes to the pitcher or individual glasses. Garnish with lemon slices or fresh herb sprigs. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days. (5 minutes)

Notes

Infuse herbs for about 10 minutes to avoid bitterness. Adjust sweetness to taste as lemons vary in tartness. For sparkling lemonade, replace some or all cold water with chilled sparkling water just before serving. Freeze lemon juice in ice cube trays to keep lemonade cold without dilution.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemonade, fresh lemonade, herbal lemonade, summer drink, refreshing beverage, mint lemonade, basil lemonade, rosemary lemonade, sparkling lemonade, easy lemonade recipe

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/fresh-classic-lemonade-recipe-with-herbs-for-easy-summer-refreshment/