Never Bitter Lemonade
Quench your thirst with Never Bitter Lemonade, a refreshingly vibrant twist on classic lemonade that ensures every sip is smooth and free from harsh bitterness. This recipe uses a clever technique of infusing fragrant lemon peels with sugar to extract their natural essential oils, offering an aromatic depth of flavor. By carefully removing the bitter white pith and balancing the tartness with a delicate pinch of salt, this lemonade achieves the perfect harmony of sweet and tangy. Ready in just 15 minutes, it's a crowd-pleasing drink served over ice and optionally garnished with fresh mint leaves for an extra burst of freshness. Perfect as a summer cooler or an elegant addition to any gathering, this homemade lemonade redefines the art of refreshment.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 whole Lemons
- 0.75 cup Granulated sugar
- 4 cups Water
- 1 cup Ice cubes
- 0.125 teaspoon Salt
- 4 leaves Fresh mint leaves (optional)
Instructions
Wash the lemons thoroughly to remove any wax coating or residues.
Peel the lemons, carefully removing only the yellow rind (avoid the white pith as it causes bitterness). Reserve the peels.
Juice the peeled lemons using a manual or electric juicer. Strain the juice to remove pulp and seeds; set the juice aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the lemon peels with the granulated sugar. Use your fingers or a spoon to gently rub the sugar into the peels until it becomes fragrant and slightly sticky. This step releases the essential oils from the peel.
Boil 1 cup of water and pour it over the sugared lemon peels. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves, creating an infused syrup. Let this mixture cool to room temperature.
Strain the syrup to remove the lemon peels, then combine it with the strained lemon juice in a large pitcher.
Add 3 additional cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir well. Taste the lemonade and adjust sweetness or tartness if needed by adding more sugar or water.
Stir in a small pinch of salt to balance the flavors and enhance the natural sweetness of the lemons.
Serve over ice cubes in glasses and garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
640 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.7 g | 1% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 328 mg | 14% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 172.1 g | 63% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.7 g | 24% | |
| Total Sugars | 155.8 g | ||
| Protein | 2.7 g | 5% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 123 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 329 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
