Our Summer :: Lemony Goodness

I just adore lemons. I think the first recipe I posted on my blog back in March was for Lemon Drizzle Cake, which remains one of my all time favourite cakes to bake (and scoff). But this time I'm not using lemons for baking, but for drinking :: for creating a bit of zesty refreshment,  ideal for quenching thirsts at picnics, trips to the park, or just idling around at home.  Its a great summer drink, this one. Just thinking about it makes me want to glug a big chunky glass of it down, right now.

I've been making this lemon drink since I was about 17 years old. The recipe was given to me by my school friend's Mum Jane, because she always used to make it and I loved it so much when I visited their house (which was often). And now more than 20 years later I am still making it and it's always an instant reminder of long, warm summer days, of picnics in the countryside, of afternoon tea in Jane's orchard under the apple trees.
I made several lots throughout this summer as I do every year and kept meaning to share the recipe with you but kept forgetting. Until now of course.

The ingredients are refreshingly simple :: lemons, sugar, water.

Into a large bowl put 1.5lb (680g) granulated sugar, and the rind and juice from 5 ripe, unwaxed lemons.
The zesty smell is divine.

 Add 1 pint (568ml) boiling water and stir well until sugar has dissolved.

Feast your eyes on the zingy yellowness of it.
Cover with a tea towel of your choice (decisions, decisions), and leave to stand for 24 hours.
Sniff it every time you walk past :: at least 14 times in 24 hours.

 

Strain and bottle :: I used 2 x half-litre bottles, the old fashioned glass kind I found in an old fashioned type of kitchenware shop in my town (don't you just love those types of places?)

 

This makes a concentrated juice that needs to be diluted with water as you would do with shop-bought squash. Still water is good, sparkling water is even better.

Of course you could make this drink at any time of year, but somehow it is so essentially summery to me that I only tend to make it during June, July and August.
A taste of Summer in a glass.

Comments

[Charlotte]

Have just started reading your blog right from the beginning and your recipes are wonderful! Made this yesterday and i LOVE it :) Your quite an inspiration!

[Kristina]

I actually found this by accident. I was looking for this kind of recipe and recently bought those ez cap bottles. I do have a question though, does it need to be refridgerated or can in sit on a shelf somewhere and what is the shelf in he fridge or shelf?

[Vims]

thanks for the recipe! this has become a super hit at home!!!!

[Dee]

Thank you for reintroducing me to wonderful lemonade, which I have not had since I was 14. Many decades ago. This will be a firm favourite in my house I hope for decades to come!

[susan]

That sounds wonderful. I'll bet you could do the same thing with limes, too. I'll have to try this.

[Cynthia]

Looks good and refreshing.

[Anna]

Oh wow. How fabulous! That will definitely be made in the cafe kitchens at some point!! We have got bottles of traditional cloudy lemonade on sale, which does very well, but homemade will be so much more special. If you ever need a break to the Cotswolds...I will provide the pinny and teatowels!x

[Ali]

Love your bottling bottle. But today a hot cup of tea seems more appropriate - how sad. Perhaps if we all made lemon sunshine drink, the sun would come out. I'm up for a try!

[jane]

Oh god, now I'm going to have to go and buy lemons!!!! I just can't resist!
Can I have a calorie count on it though please?!! LOL
Jane. x

[julia]

Do you think drinking this might make the sun come out (ever). Sitting here in torrential rain, but this post made me feel quite summery!
Julia xx

[French Knots]

Mmm summer in a glass - that's the only kind of summer I'm going to get this year! Perhaps I can drink it and imagine I'm sitting in the sunshine.

[cathleen]

Do you realize you are in England and I am in US and we were posting to each other at the exact same time? How cool is that? I think we have a mutual admiration going on!! Glad love my blog...I love yours too.

[cathleen]

I can just imagine how your kitchen must smell with all that fragrant lemony essence floating around. I will have to go check out your recipe for the Lemon Drizzle Cake. I am in the mood to bake and I could use a bit of cake in my tummy right now.

Your photos, as usual, have been awesome the past few days, Lucy.

[Ange]

ps - hope things weren't too awful on the school run this morning. Hugs. xx

[Ange]

Ooo -sounds lovely. My little man will love this as he's taken to eating raw lemon. But for some very strange reason does not like the lemon drizzle cake!
Thanks for the mega treat of 2 posts in one day yesterday- you are spoiling us!!
Ange
xx

[Rosepetaljam]

sounds great Lucy. I might deviate if I may and make a lime one... I'll let you know how it turns out!

It's cold in the NE today with promises of heavy rain so I think earl grey tea is the order of the day!

S xxx

[simone]

I like the sound of 'a taste of summer in a glass.' My mum used to make home made lemonade but she used to add citric acid. Your recipe looks fresh and simple to do and I will try it when summer comes again. For now I am drinking a hot beverage with a comfort biscuit and trying to ignore the bleak day out of the window!

[Yvonne]

Yum, my friends mum used to make a drink similar to this but I never had the recipe so will try this one as I love the taste of lemon!
Yvonne