All American Lemonade

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Now there can never be a 4th July party with out some yummy cold drinks. But not all my friends prefer drinking and every time we have a party I feel they are deprived of the yummy taste of the drinks. 
So this time I decided to make a lemonade that would solve the problem for both the groups.
The ones who prefer little alcohol can add there preferred alcohol and the non-alcholics can still enjoy the taste without breaking their principals. And I can serve everybody the same drink and adhere to my theme :)


This is my 3rd post towards 4th July Weekend.


Ingredients:
  1. water: 3  cups
  2. superfine sugar or granulated sugar: 3  cups
  3. lemons: 8
  4. oranges: 3  
  5. limes: 3  
  6. fresh mint sprigs: 10  to 12 (optional)
  7. Lemon, orange and lime slices and/or thin
  8. Water, chilled
  9. Ice Cubes
  10. Vodka, gin, white rum or tequila: for the alcholic version
  11. Lemon slices : for garnish
  12. Small mint sprigs: for garnish
Procedure:


For sugar syrup: In a large saucepan, heat and stir the water and sugar over medium heat till the sugar dissolves.
Remove from heat; cool for 20 minutes.
Finely shred 1 tablespoon of peel from lemons, oranges and limes.
Squeeze juice from lemons, oranges and limes (should be about 3 1/2 to 4 cups total).
Place mint sprigs in the bottom of a clean, 1-gallon jar or very large bowl.
Using a wooden spoon, lightly crush the leaves. Pour the cooled sugar syrup over the mint.
Add the fruit peel and fruit juice to the sugar syrup mixture. Stir to thoroughly combine.
Cover and steep for 1 hour at room temperature.
Strain mixture.
Transfer fruit syrup concentrate to a pitcher.
Cover; chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Just before serving, stir the mixture.


To serve, mix equal parts of the fruit syrup concentrate and water, add slices or thin wedges of lemon, orange and lime, and serve over tall ice-filled glasses.


For the alcohol version, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of vodka, gin, rum or tequila to each serving and garnish the glass with a lemon slice and a small sprig of mint.



The best part is if you have kids in the group you can serve them the same drink in the same style glasses, without them wondering why are the grown ups are enjoying color full drinks and we can serve juice from a box.


I hope you all have a blast.
Till then happy blogging.
Rakhee

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