Lemonade

Name: Lemonade - Melania L.
Ingredients: 5 suitable lemons; sugar to taste; 2.5 liters of still or sparkling water

Beverages - Lemonade by Melania L. - Recipia

When I have a few lemons on hand and want a simple drink, I make lemonade in just a few minutes. It only requires lemons, water, and sugar to taste, and the only thing that needs a little attention is dissolving the sweetener before chilling the lemonade. The lemon peels are reserved for other recipes and are not added to the lemonade. Quick Info Total time: about 10 minutes, plus chilling time Preparation time: a few minutes Cooking time: not required Servings: about 10 glasses of 250 ml each Difficulty: easy Recipe type: cold drink, no cooking Ingredients 5 medium lemons Sugar, to taste 2.5 liters of still or sparkling water You can also use a sweetener instead of sugar. In this case, the amount depends on the type of sweetener and how sweet you prefer your lemonade. Instructions 1. Wash the lemons thoroughly and finely grate the peel. Set the peel aside, as it can be used later in other recipes. Only the juice is used for the lemonade. 2. Squeeze the lemons and pour the juice into a sufficiently large container. 3. Add sugar to taste and stir until it completely dissolves. If using a sweetener, mix it in the same way with the lemon juice. 4. Pour in the 2.5 liters of still or sparkling water and stir again. 5. Chill the lemonade before serving. The amount of sugar is not fixed, so it’s better to start with less and adjust as needed. The final taste also depends on how tart the lemons are. Why I make this recipe often It’s a simple recipe with few ingredients and no boiling required. There’s no need to prepare a separate syrup, and the lemonade is ready as soon as the sugar is dissolved and the water is added. I also like it because I can use a sweetener instead of sugar when I want a lighter version. The quantity of 2.5 liters is suitable for several glasses, so the drink can be prepared in advance and kept in the fridge. Plus, the proportions are easy to remember: five lemons to 2.5 liters of water, with sugar added to taste. Tips Wash the lemons before grating the peel, even if it won't be added to the lemonade. The peel can be saved for another recipe but should be clean and dry before storage. Mix the lemon juice well with the sugar before adding all the water. Sugar dissolves more easily in a smaller amount of liquid than after the lemonade is already diluted. Taste the lemonade after adding the water. If it’s too tart, you can add more sugar, and if it’s too sweet, the taste can be adjusted with water. There’s no need to prepare an exact amount of sugar from the start. If using sparkling water, mix gently after adding. For a non-carbonated version, use still water. Substitutions Sugar can be replaced with a sweetener. The source of the recipe uses this option when wanting a lighter lemonade. The amount cannot be universally determined, as it varies from product to product and depends on the sweetness level. Still water can be substituted with sparkling water in the same quantity of 2.5 liters. The choice depends on whether you prefer a lemonade without bubbles or a sparkling one. There is no fixed amount of sugar, as the recipe is designed to be adjusted to taste. Lemons can have different acidity levels, and the same amount of sugar won’t always yield the same result. Variations The simplest variation of the recipe is using a sweetener instead of sugar. This way, you keep the same amount of lemon and water but reduce the sugar intake based on the chosen product. Another possible change is using still or sparkling water. The amount of lemons and the total volume of the drink remain the same; only the type of water used changes. Otherwise, the basic recipe remains the same: squeeze the lemon, dissolve the sweetener in the juice, add the water, and chill the lemonade. No boiling or other intermediate preparations are needed. Serving Ideas Lemonade is served cold after being in the fridge. It can be poured directly into glasses from the container in which it was prepared. Since the recipe doesn’t specify a precise chilling time, check the temperature before serving and let the drink chill longer if needed. It’s suitable as an everyday drink or when you need a larger quantity of lemonade prepared in advance. The volume of 2.5 liters is enough for about ten servings of 250 ml each. Frequently Asked Questions How much sugar is added to this lemonade? The recipe doesn’t specify an exact amount. Sugar is added to taste, depending on how tart the lemons are and how sweet you prefer the drink. It’s easier to start with a small amount and add more after tasting. Can I use a sweetener instead of sugar? Yes. The sweetener can replace sugar, and the amount should be adjusted according to the instructions on the packaging and personal taste. Not all types of sweeteners have the same sweetness level. Is still water or sparkling water better? Both options are included in the recipe. Still water provides a non-carbonated lemonade, while sparkling water can be used if you prefer a bubbly drink. Why is the lemon peel grated if it’s not added to the lemonade? The peel is saved for other recipes. In this recipe, only the lemon juice is used, and the peel is prepared separately before squeezing. How many servings does 2.5 liters of lemonade yield? It depends on the size of the glasses. At a serving size of about 250 ml, it results in about 10 glasses. Nutritional Values The values are estimates, as the amount of sugar is not specified, and the type of sweetener may vary. For approximately 250 ml of lemonade made without sugar, just from the juice of the five lemons and water, the estimates are: Calories: about 10-15 kcal Carbohydrates: about 3-4 g Protein: under 1 g Fat: 0 g If sugar is used, the values increase based on the amount added. As a reference, one teaspoon of sugar weighing about 4 g adds around 16 kcal and 4 g of carbohydrates to the entire lemonade. For an exact calculation per serving, the total amount of sugar used would be needed. In the case of sweeteners, the values depend on the product. Some types have negligible caloric intake, while others may contain carbohydrates or calories. For precise information, the nutritional data on the packaging should be checked. Storage and Reheating Lemonade should be stored in the fridge in a covered container until serving. The recipe is intended for cold consumption and should not be reheated. If it has been chilled and the taste seems less sweet or less tart than before, stir the lemonade well before pouring it into glasses. If needed, the taste can be checked and adjusted with sugar or sweetener, but it’s more practical to do this before refrigeration.

Lemonade

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