Three. Day. Weekend.
Oh, yeah. Four if you don’t work Fridays. Which I don’t.
With Memorial Day weekend upon us I thought it was high time I shared some more cocktails with you. Well, two real cocktails and one for the teetotalers. If you know any teetotalers. I don’t.
Non-alcoholic and refreshing strawberry lemonade
This strawberry lemonade is the bomb.
Once upon a time, long long ago, I made lemonade by squeezing lemons and adding a bunch of sugar and water to the juice. I don’t know exactly when it happened, but I figured out that adding granulated sugar doesn’t really work. It all just settles to the bottom. The secret to great homemade lemonade is making it with simple syrup so the sugar, lemon juice, and water stay combined.
Step it up a notch and make a flavored simple syrup, in this case strawberry, and you’ve got one helluva drink. The kids will love it, too! Just make sure they only get this one.
Strawberry Lemon Drop
And when life gives you strawberry and lemons together in a delicious drink what do you do? Add vodka, of course.
I don’t recall if I’ve ever had a lemon drop but I know it’s vodka, lemon juice, and sugar. I’m calling this a strawberry lemon drop. It’s dangerously good.
For the final twist on this drink add basil and serve over ice. Like a mojito but instead of rum you use vodka, replace the mint with basil, and then fill the glass with strawberry lemonade instead of lime juice and soda. So, actually, it’s nothing at all like a mojito. I’m going to call it a strawberry basil lemonito.
Rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?
- 1 heaping cup strawberries, chopped
- 1 cup water
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 packets Stevia (This is my way of reducing the sugar a bit. If you prefer, use a whole cup of sugar and omit the Stevia.)
- 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, about 6 lemons
- 3 more cups water
- Combine strawberries, water, sugar, and (if using) Stevia in a medium saucepan.
- Bring mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally and use a wooden spoon to mash up the strawberries and release their juice. Set aside.
- Combine lemon juice and 3 cups of water in a pitcher.
- Strain the strawberry syrup mixture through a fine mesh strainer.
- Add strawberry syrup to the lemonade and chill for at least 30 minutes. Serve over ice.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome Julie, LOVE strawberrys and basil and the addition of lemonade makes it even better!!! Buzzed you!
Lauren @ Part Time House Wife recently posted..Skinnied Version of Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza
It was REALLY good. We had, um, a few.
I don’t drink a lot of alcohol but these look a-maz-ing and so beautiful. Your pics are gorgeous … Happy holiday weekend!
CJ at Food Stories recently posted..National Brown-Bag-It Day & Another Award
Thank you. Try the first recipe. It’s delish! I hate that word but it really is.
Wow, these look just great. And so summery
Carole recently posted..Solution for 25 May cryptic crossword clue
Thanks, Julie for stumbling bucket list. I’ll stumble another post of yours soon.
OK - the problem with this post is which drink to make first? These are all right up my alley - guess have to figure out if I’m in the mood for rum or vodka first
Deanna Segrave-Daly recently posted..Potato Panko Coconut Shrimp with Jalapeño Honey Dipping Sauce
Hey Deanna! I actually used vodka for all the drinks but you could try rum. LMK if it works!
This drinks looks so gorgeous - the colour is stunning
And I bet the taste is too!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Picnic Time!
I’ve never made a flavored simple syrup before…so smart! I love it in this cocktail
Baking Serendipity recently posted..Summer Favorites (Giveaway!)
“So, actually, it’s nothing at all like a mojito.” - bahahaha, best line ever! this looks sooo good. make mine a double, please!
amy @ fearless homemaker recently posted..strawberry scones
Haha! Thanks, Amy. Sometimes I crack myself up.
Love the lemonito, yum! This is kinda funny, cause this week I am posting a watermelon lemonade, and I was trying to figure out how to spike it! I tried it with sparkling wine and that was pretty good, but I love my vodka drinks too
Jane recently posted..Strawberry and Rhubarb Ginger Mint Jam
Yum, I love strawberry lemonade!! And all three of these options sound fabulous.
Kelsey @ K&K Test Kitchen recently posted..Raspberry Sparklers
I don’t work Fridays either!
Nice drink - good combo of flavors. Sounds delish - I’ll have to give this a try. Thanks.
I’ll have a couple of the adult versions, please!
Anita at Hungry Couple recently posted..Welcome Summer! Memorial Day Weekend 2012
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I can see that we are of the same mind when it comes to cocktails : )
This looks soooo refreshing and as you say - dangerously good!
You do such great cocktails. Would you be happy to link it to Food on Friday : Mocktails and Cocktails
Carole recently posted..Food on Friday- Cocktails/Mocktails
Do you have a recipe for how to mix the strawberry lemon drop and vodka strawberry basil lemonade?
Sure! It’s not really a recipe as much as it is your personal taste. For the lemon drop I think I used an ounce of vodka and 5 ounces of the strawberry lemonade. For the basil drink, muddle a little basil in a glass with an ounce of vodka. Then add ice and 6-8 ounces of the lemonade. Enjoy!
{ 2 trackbacks }