One of the very best things about going to the cottage is the luxury to take the my time. I mostly take it in the form of sleeping and reading on the dock, but occasionally I’ll take the time to make something like a big pitcher of from-scratch lemonade. It’s not that lemonade is all that time consuming, it’s just that I usually don’t think to make it. However, there’s something about a bit of free time, warm weather, and lounging on the dock that just begs for lemonade, though, don’t you think?
I’ve always loved pink lemonade, so I couldn’t resist throwing a handful of sliced strawberries and pitted cherries into the sugar syrup as it simmered. I elected to leave the lemonade mostly undiluted so everyone could dilute to taste (which you will definitely want to do—it is very tart and flavourful). You can also dilute it with other liquids… like white wine… or gin. Both make a fantastic cocktail.
The amount of sugar called for makes a very tart lemonade—I did this so I could stir a spoonful of raw honey into each glass. If you prefer a sweeter lemonade, I’d increase the sugar to 1 cup.
Summer Berry Lemonade
2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, from approximately 8 lemons
½ cup pitted and chopped cherries (about 6)
½ cup sliced strawberries (about 6)
¾ cup white sugar
2 cups waterCombine the sugar, water, and berries in a small sauce pot. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
Strain the berries from the sugar water and mix into the lemon juice.
To serve, dilute with at least half water or wine. Add a few ice cubes, and perhaps a spoonful of sugar.
