Blueberry & Mint Lemonade

In the summertime one of my favorite treats is homemade lemonade. I love making variations with different fruits and herbs. Most recently I whipped up this blueberry & mint lemonade. It is so refreshing, and I loved the subtle aftertaste of the mint. This weekend we're supposed to get temps up to 99 degrees, so you'd better believe you can find me with a glass of this in my hand. Happy weekend!

Blueberry & Mint Lemonade

2 cups fresh blueberries (frozen will also work)

1 cup mint leaves, coarsely chopped

1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice

1 cup granulated sugar

4-5 cups filtered water

In a blender add blueberries, mint, lemon juice, and granulated sugar. Blend until smooth and deep purple. The mixture will look a bit like a smoothie.

Pour mixture into a fine mesh strainer placed over a medium bowl. Use a spatula to press the liquid through the strainer leaving the blueberry pulp and fresh mint in the strainer. Discard the pulp. Pour the blueberry, mint, lemon juice into a pitcher and add water. Taste and add more water or sugar according to your taste. Serve chilled. Makes 2 quarts.

source: recipe from joy the baker

Rosemary Lemonade

I've shared several lemonade recipes here in this space, but I just can't stop! Once the warm weather hits, you can find me outside with a mason jar of lemonade in hand, colorful straw sticking out the top. I had some leftover rosemary simple syrup from the rosemary peach lemonade I made several weeks back, and this recipe used it up perfectly. I hope this weekend you have lots of sunshine, some relaxation, and even a cold, fruity drink :)

Rosemary Lemonade
1 cup of fresh lemon juice (from 5-6 lemons)
3-4 sprigs of rosemary
1 cup of sugar
6 cups water

Combine 1 1/3 cups of water, the sugar, and the rosemary in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the syrup through a wire mesh sieve into a container to remove the rosemary. Let cool.

In a large pitcher combine the lemon juice, simple syrup, and the remaining 4 2/3 cups of cold water. Stir together until combined and chill before serving. Serves 5-6.

source: slightly adapted from a beautiful mess

Watermelon Slush

Last week one of Caleb's coworkers gave him a huge watermelon from their garden.  There was no way we'd be able to eat the whole thing, so we gave half to a neighbor and have slowly been tackling the rest of it.  We spent some time at the pool Saturday afternoon, and when we got home we whipped up this delicious watermelon slush.  So fresh and a great way to end the summer!

Watermelon Slush

3 cups small watermelon chunks

juice of 1 lime

1 Tbsp sugar

1 cup of ice

Put everything in a blender and blend until smooth.  Add more water or ice to get the desired consistency.

source: recipe from say yes to hoboken

Strawberry Lemonade

There's something about summer that makes me crave fruity drinks.  So when I saw this recipe for strawberry lemonade, I could not resist.  I had never made lemonade before (Country Time mix aside), but squeezing the lemons was a really satisfying feeling.  The mixture of the strawberry and lemon flavors in this is perfect, and the sparkling water gave it a nice touch.  A pitcher of this is perfect for summer evenings.

Strawberry Lemonade
1 cup sugar
1 cup fresh lemon juice (4-6 lemons, depending on size)
1 pound strawberries, hulled and halved
16 ounces seltzer, chilled

In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water and 1 cup sugar to boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes.  Transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until cool, about 45 minutes.  Add the lemon juice and stir to combine.

Place the strawberries in a blender and purée until smooth.  Pour through a fine-mesh sieve or strainer into pitcher with the lemon syrup, pressing on the solids. Stir well to combine.  Stir in the seltzer and mix to combine.  Serves 4-6.

source:  recipe from Everyday Food, June 2011