It’s July and summer is in full swing. It’s time to highlight another ingredient and this month we chose sugar and sweeteners. We wanted to choose a recipe that encompasses summer and sweet, and what better to do that than lemonade. Nothing refreshes you on a hot summer’s day like a cool glass of lemonade. It’s classic, simple and delicious for everyone.
On this month’s Trading Recipes we feature two versions of some very sophisticated beverages: Mint Lemonade and Blood Orange Basil Lemonade. For the lemonade with mint, we decided to showcase Batavia Mills granulated sugar, a classic sweetener for a classic beverage. For the Blood Orange Basil Lemonade we used a mixture of sugar and monk fruit. Don’t be fooled by the low calorie count for this one, it is perfectly sweet with a complex flavor profile.
Summer Lemonade Recipes
CLASSIC MINT LEMONADE INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup white, granulated sugar
- 1 cup water (for the syrup)
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 2 to 3 cups cold water (to dilute)
- Fresh mint for garnish
BLOOD ORANGE BASIL LEMONADE INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup monk fruit powder
- 1 cup water (for the syrup)
- 1 cup blood orange juice
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 2 to 3 cups of club soda
- Fresh basil
Classic Mint Lemonade Instructions
In a small saucepan heat the sugar and water for about 5 minutes until all the sugar is dissolved thickens slightly. Set aside to cool.
Fill a pitcher ice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and cold water. Slice a lemon and into rounds and place them in the pitcher. Stir the pitcher, pour the lemonade into a glass with ice, top with mint leaves, and enjoy!
Blood Orange Basil Lemonade Instructions
In a small saucepan heat the sugar and water for about 5 minutes until all the sugar is dissolved thickens slightly. Set aside to cool.
Fill a pitcher with ice and pour in the citrus juices, simple syrup, and club soda. Slice a lemon and a blood orange into rounds and place them in the pitcher. Muddle or bruise the basil and stick inside the pitcher. Stir the drink and pour into glass with ice. Enjoy!
Recipes adapted from Elise Bauer and Danny Boome
