Let's start off with some fresh, real lemonade, shall we? This one's especially for Kimizzy, who asked about making a vodka-free version. I was so inspired by her question, I scrapped my original plans and decided to make a blueberry syrup in place of plain simple syrup to sweeten the drink.
Note: please don't be put off by making a simple syrup, flavored or not - all it takes is sugar, water and five minutes of your time. Really.
Blueberry Lemonade:
For the syrup:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (or 1/3 cup agave nectar)
- 1 cup of water
- 3 strip of fresh lemon peel
- 3/4 of a cup of fresh blueberries
For the Lemonade:
- 6 large, fresh lemons
- 5 1/2 cups of cold water
- some blueberry syrup or simple syrup
Divalicious Spiked Blueberry Lemonade:
- 2 oz. of blueberry Vodka (I used Smirnoff)
- some fresh Blueberry Lemonade
- ice
I'm well pleased with how this drink turned out - both the spiked and the alcohol-free version. They're both delicious, refreshing, packed with Vitamin C and the anti-oxidant goodness of those blueberries ... why its practically a health drink!
And, kidding aside, if you make it with agave nectar - it might as well be a health drink - and a mighty tasty one at that. If you've got some regular homemade lemonade on hand, go right ahead and use that in place of the blueberry lemonade - the flavored vodka will more than make up for it. Or, conversely, you could use the blueberry lemonade with plain, unflavored vodka. Confused yet? Here, have a drink!
My point ... there's room for experimentation here.
I can see a host of possibilities for infusing that blueberry syrup as well. I'm certain I'll add a nice chuck of fresh ginger to it next time, or maybe even a handful of thyme. Basil, lemon balm, lemon verbena or even some mint would work well here too. Simply add the ginger, or any one of those herbs, to the rest of the mixture in the pan and simmer away accordingly.
I'm completely charmed by my take on The Lodge's lemonade and I'm grateful to Kimizzy for prompting my syrup experiment. I hope you'll try it!
Bon appetit!
22 comments:
Forgot it was Thurs. until your posted showed up in the reader. Yay for 'almost the weekend'. And double yay for vodka in anything!
That is beautiful! I love the idea of a blueberry syrup, especially the color! Oh yeah and I agree with Duo, yay for vodka!
Thanks, Duo and Wino! It was every bit as good as it looks too. I'm loving the blueberry syrup and can't wait to experiment with it more. :)
A hot color for such a cool drink! I love your blueberry syrup and lemonade recipes and they will definitely go in Mr. Noodle's drink book.
An aside: many apologies for not having visited recently. I'm catching up!
I looks JUST like summer! Guess which version I'll be having? (Booze! LOL)
Thanks for check out my Easy Bake Oven giveaway! You're the best. :-)
I am turning, amoungst other things, into a thursday alcoholic...not that thats a bad thing
Bring on the spiked version!!! MAn that looks good!!! Don't forget I have a fabulous giveaway today so go enter! :)
Tangled Noodle - no problem at all, I couldn't be more behind on my blog reading too. It happens! :)
Cookie - somehow I knew this one would be right up your alley! ;)
doggybloggy - not a bad thing at all. The real question is when will we actually meet to share a libation a/o meal?!
Steph - thanks! I'm on my way over to your place now. Whee!
I've seen so many blueberry products lately, it just seems like you can put it in pretty much anything these days! And nothing wrong with that! I guess no better way to get your antioxidants than washed down with some vodka, right!?
Marta - you're right, they are turning up everywhere these days. I can't wait until my local blueberry season begins!
Mmmmm, this looks delicious. I've been making a minty lemon/orangeade this year with all the lemons from our little tree. Homemade lemonade is so wonderful :) But I used up the last lemon last night so now it looks like I'll need to find a big bag of them for sale if I want to keep on with the lemon-y drinks. This one looks outstanding ;) Never thought to add blueberry.
Lynn - you have a lemon tree?! How wonderful, color me jealous! This lemonade is good enough to warrant the purchase though - but would be so fun to make with one's own lemons.
Mama Diva makes a really mean lemon/orangeade too. Love that stuff!
You forgot to mention, don't turn your back on the syrup...it will boil over fast! I probably should have known that huh? Looks good so far!
Wino, you're actually making it?! Hooray! I went back and changed the wording to "reduce heat to low" just to be clear. You're right, syrup is dicey stuff and it does boil over quickly. So excited that you're doing it. Let me know how it goes and I hope you love it! :)
I approve! And, I'll have a double. I'll just be sitting over here waiting patiently.
Dana, I'll trade you some of your saffron lime pasta for one or two of these ... deal?
This is pretty cool! I've got a giant amount of blueberries and this is a perfect drink I can make tomorrow! The blueberry lemonade with blueberry syrup will be great for my daughter and a spiked version for my husband and me. I'll definitely use agave. Thanks for sharing this creation!
Wow,summer indeed! I followed you from the foodieblogroll and I've really enjoyed going through your posts!Hope you wont mind,I'd love to guide our readers to your site, just add this foodista widget to this post and it's all set to go, Thanks!
5 Star - That's what I love about this drink ... its great with or without the booze ... so perfect for a family picnic. I hope you like it and let me know how it goes! I'm particularly interested to hear how much agave you use. I really don't like things too sweet - so I may have undercut the amount. If its off, please let me know. Thank you!
Alisa - thanks so much for dropping by and your lovely comments and the invitation to add this to Foodista. I'd be delighted and am honored to have been asked. Thank you!!! I'm adding the widget now. Hooray! :)
This looks really good, and I don't even like blueberries that much! The drink also matches your blog background perfectly. You're even Diva-ish by accident :)
Such a glorious, summer beverage!! I love your addition of the blueberry syrup - and I love how one can make a healthy, daytime version and a fun spiked nighttime version too! ;-)
I can't wait to try this one!
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