Lemonade · Classic
Fresh-Squeezed Classic Lemonade
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Before you start
Gather your ingredients
Weights from USDA FoodData Central cup weights; counted things stay as counts.
Swaps for granulated sugar
Instead of sugar
- Less sugar: Up to ¼ less in cookies, muffins and quick breads. Less browning and spread, a drier, more cake-like texture, and bakes go stale sooner.
- Brown sugar: The same amount, packed. Moister and chewier, with a caramel flavor and darker color.
- Coconut sugar: The same amount. Darker and caramel-like, a little less sweet; cookies spread slightly less.
Swaps for fresh lemon juice
Instead of lemon juice
- Lime juice: The same amount. A different, more floral aroma; works almost everywhere.
- Bottled lemon juice: The same amount. More sour and flatter; fine in cooking and baking, less bright in dressings and drinks.
- White wine vinegar or white vinegar: Half as much. Sharper, with no citrus aroma.
Step 1 of 5
Make a simple syrup: heat the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring, just until the sugar dissolves and the liquid is clear.
Step 2 of 5
Let the syrup cool to room temperature, or chill it.
Step 3 of 5
Roll the lemons firmly on the counter under your palm, cut them in half and squeeze out 1 cup of juice. out the seeds.
Strain (how to strain)
Strain Pour food through a strainer to separate the liquid from the solids, or to make a sauce smooth. 1. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl or pot large enough to hold all the liquid.2. Pour slowly, so it doesn't overflow.3. Press the solids with the back of a ladle to get all the liquid out (unless the recipe wants a clear result).4. Throw away the solids or keep them, as the recipe says. Done when: The liquid is smooth with no bits; for clear broth, no cloudiness from pressing. Safety: Steam burns fast: lift lids and foil away from your face, tipping the far edge up first. Ladle very full pots into the strainer rather than lifting them.How to strain sauces and stocks: mistakes to avoidStep 4 of 5
In a pitcher, stir together the cooled syrup, lemon juice and 4 cups cold water. Taste and add up to 1 more cup water if it's too strong.
Step 5 of 5
Serve over ice with lemon slices.
All done
Enjoy!
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