Mom's best (almost) natural lemonade recipe
Updated: Dec 4, 2022
Keeping cool in the Little Karoo
Here in the Little Karoo the temperature on long summer days often reaches into the mid-'40s centigrade. Honestly, it's unbearable at times, and we are always trying new and ingenious ways to keep cool. I have patio misters, a roof sprayer, and an outside bath. Wearing wet clothes also works like a bomb.
Keeping hydrated is essential, and an ice-cold glass of this delicious homemade lemonade is a lifesaver. It's really easy to make too.
When sourcing lemons, try to support local farmers, or if you have your own lemon tree, that's first prize.
Although this recipe has sugar, the lemonade is so concentrated that a little goes a far way. This family recipe never fails, and even a kitchen dummy (like me) can make it!
Recipe
Ingredients
Lemons 10 - 12
Cream of Tartar 15 ml
Citric Acid 15 ml
Cups of sugar 12
Epsom Salts 15 ml
Boiling Water 1,5 litres
Method
Grate the peel of one lemon
Squish juice from the lemons
Add juice and peel in a plastic or glass bowl
Add sugar, citric acid, Epsom salts, cream of tartar
Add boiling water and stir until everything is dissolved.
Pour into sterilized glass bottles and seal.
As always, we support green living and upcycle pretty glass bottles with screw caps, especially for this lemonade.
Serving suggestions
Mix with cold sparkling or soda water, and ice - lots of it! Experiment with added goodies for extra pizazz such as
Mint
Angostura bitters
Sliced cucumber
Sliced lemon
Aloe juice
A bottle of this lemonade is a great homemade gift, and so is our homemade apricot jam. Give them both a try and let us know how you get on.