The Sweet Melissa Baking Book: Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade

Submitted by BecR2400

"A big pitcher of this effervescent strawberry-lemonade is the perfect drink for summer barbecues and outdoor gatherings! From The Sweet Melissa Baking Book by Melissa Murphy."

 

• Ready In: 20mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• For the strawberry syrup

• 236.59 ml chopped fresh strawberries
• 29.58 ml sugar
• 4.92 ml lemon juice
• 29.58 ml cold water
• 0.25 ml salt

• For the lemonade

• 236.59 ml very hot water
• 157.80 ml sugar
• 295.73 ml fresh lemon juice (the juice from 4-5 large lemons)
• 1064.65 ml cold sparkling water or 1064.65 ml seltzer water
• granulated sugar, optional for rimming the glass
• 1 sprig of fresh lemon balm, optional to serve (melissa)

directions

1. To make the strawberry syrup, combine the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, water and salt in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds, pressing down to extract as much liquid as possible.
2. To make the lemonade, combine the hot water and sugar in a pitcher. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Mix in the lemon juice and water. Stir in the strawberry puree.
3. To serve, rub a wedge of lemon or one of the spent lemon halves around the rim of a glass and then dip in sugar. Fill with ice if desired and then lemonade. Garnish with sliced lemon or strawberries or sprigs of fresh lemon balm. Serve immediately.