Beverages Archives - Hopeful Homemaker

Strawberry Watermelon Smoothies

June 30, 2011 jennifer Beverages

A friend shared this recipe a few weeks ago and I can’t count how often we’ve made these smoothies since. They’re easy to make and so refreshing!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups ice cubes 2 cups chopped watermelon 1 pint strawberries 1/3 cup sugar juice of half a lemon 1 cup water Place ingredients in blender and mix until smooth. My son started adding 1 tablespoon lavender to the mix as well and it’s actually quite good.

Served in my favorite juice glasses for the 4th of July makes them even better. (Glasses from IKEA on clearance last year) I hope you’ll try these refreshing summer smoothies!

Jennifer

“Good Water”

June 28, 2011 jennifer Beverages

Looking for a refreshing summer drink? This is our family favorite, and a favorite of mine because it’s easy to make, clear (meaning no stains) and because I can store most of the ingredients and make it in a pinch.

Good Water 2 Tb. citric acid 1 T lemon extract 3 cups sugar 5 quarts water 1/2 tsp. vanilla ice cubes sliced lemons and limes Mix together sugar, water, citric acid, lemon extract and vanilla until sugar is dissolved. Add lemons, limes and ice cubes. Serve and enjoy!

A note about the citric acid. For many years I purchased it in the pharmacy section at a local grocery store but I found an online source for a better price. If you buy it, it stores well and will last a long time. I get mine here .

Jennifer

Lavender Lemonade

August 6, 2010 jennifer Beverages

It’s August, the month of sleepy summer afternoons, good books, and lemonade.

But not just any lemonade.

Homemade lavender lemonade. Our favorite summertime drink. Delicious and refreshing.

My husband just looked at these pictures and said, “If only you could describe how good that stuff is!”

Here’s how to make it:
Boil 10 cups water with 4 cups sugar to make a simple syrup. Remove from heat and add 4 Tb. dried lavender buds to the syrup. Cover and let sit for at least 2 hours. Pour mixture into a large container, using cheesecloth to strain lavender. Discard lavender buds.

Squeeze up to 10 lemons until you have 1 1/4 cups fresh lemon juice.
In a large container, mix lemon juice with 12 cups water.

Add lemon water to syrup mixture and watch the color change. Stir and pour a bit into a glass to taste. Feel free to add more water if it’s too strong, or a bit more lemon juice if you want it stronger.

Add ice, and serve.

Enjoy the refreshing taste. Serve some more.

You get the idea.

Makes just less than 1.5 gallons of lemonade.

I poured some into pint sized mason jars to share with friends. Fabric and a tag finished the gift. I enjoy sharing gifts from my kitchen.

Hope you try it, and happy August!

Hopeful Homemaker