sparkling strawberry lemonade

It’s strawberry season. I’m kinda going nuts for them. I’ve eaten about 400 this week. But why stop at just eating them? Why not drink ’em? How about you get yourself some strawberries and then suck ’em back through a straw? Enter Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade, people. Sure you could mix those little berries into a smoothie, but you’re not that predictable. You’re all: would you like some sparkling lemonade? What? Oh no! (insert sagacious* giggle) I didn’t BUY this lemonade. I MADE IT, DOOFUS. 

And sure, you might be more polite than that, but that’s what you’d be thinking.

I made this lemonade on Father’s Day (not the real one, the one I accidentally celebrated). It was a huge hit. In fact, 2.0 has mentioned it several times in passing, usually in a wistful tone: you know what might be good? Some of that lemonade you made that time. Yah. That would be really good right now. 

He’s right. It was some right good lemonade. Just the right balance of sweet and tang. Perfect for a barbecue. Or a summer party. Or a holiday celebrated a week early.

It’s a holiday weekend coming up, you know. Canada Day here in the great, white North. And whatever the heck you Americans go all crazy for on July 4th. Maybe you should grab yourself some lemons and strawberries and mix yourself up a batch of this sparkling awesomeness. Heck, you could throw some vodka in there and have a real party…

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Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade – adapted only slightly from Annie’s Eats (original source The Sweet Melissa Baking Book) – download and print

For the strawberry syrup:

• 1 heaping cup chopped strawberries
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• a pinch of salt

For the lemonade:

• 1 cup very hot water
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 1/4 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 4 1/2 cups cold sparkling water or seltzer

Begin by making the strawberry syrup. Combine the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, water and salt in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth. Press the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds, pressing down to extract as much liquid as possible.

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.

Garnish with sliced lemon or strawberries if you want to be all fancy like, and add ice if desired. Serve immediately.

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*shout out to thesaurus.com

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