Classic lemonade gets kicked up a notch with a little help from summer melons
Pimp it. Spike it. Lemonade and limeade get a lot more interesting when we add some local summer fruits to the mix. Who doesn’t love a cold glass of refreshing lemonade on a hot summer day? So refreshing. I also love all the in-season melons that are so sweet right now. Cantaloupe and watermelon are two of my favourites, along with being GERD-friendly… yeh! I’ve used them in summer salads, tossed them with tomatoes to make fresh burger toppings and grilled them to serve along side pork tenderloin. Did you know they also make awesome juice? No? Now you do!
Cantaloupe is quick and easy to whirl in the blender, strain, and a delicious juice is born. Adding the puree to a limeade base makes a really pretty drink to serve while taking in the summer sunset on the deck. Love it as is or spike it for the adults in the crowd.
Watermelon is a summer main stay. So juicy and refreshing. Just one small seedless watermelon makes over 4 cups of juice puree. Added it to lemonade and you’ve pimped-up a tradition drink into something really special.
Often called Agua Fresca, these pureed fruit juices can be served without the citrus with a splash of sparkling water of ginger ale. Cheers!
- 1 ripe cantaloupe, seeded, peeled, cubed
- 2 cups water
- 4 limes, juiced
- ¼ cup simple syrup or agave
- ice
- lime slices
- 1 ripe small seedless watermelon, peeled, cubed
- 2 cups water
- 3 lemons, juiced
- ¼ cup simple syrup or agave
- ice
- lemon slices
- PIMP IT - Add cantaloupe cubes and water to the blender, pureeing until smooth. Pour mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, using a spoon to press all liquid out. Combine cantaloupe puree with lime juice in a large pitcher. Sweeten to taste. Chill until cold. Serve over ice with lime slices.
- SPIKE IT - add ½ oz lemon vodka to each glass.
- PIMP IT - Add watermelon cubes and water to the blender, pureeing until smooth. Pour mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, using a spoon to press all liquid out. Combine watermelon puree with lemon juice in a large pitcher. Sweeten to taste. Chill until cold. Serve over ice with lemon slices.
- SPIKE IT - add ½ oz spiced rum to each glass.
Lori loves to create simple and delicious meals that are ready in 30 minutes or less!
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