sparkling strawberry lemonade

I have yet to come across a person that doesn't love lemonade.  And the awesome thing about it is that almost anything goes.  Add cucumbers and mint and you have a refreshing cucumber mint lemonade.  Or throw in a few blueberries to make a yummy blueberry lemonade.  What about a honey lavender lemonade? I'll take it.

Originally, I had wanted to make a strawberry cake but I didn't have time for baking.  Or rather, I just didn't feel like it.  Emeril Lagasse's strawberry lemonade to the rescue!

Strawberry Lemonade (based on Emeril's recipe)


4 cups of water
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1 tsp - 1 tbsp of lemon zest
2 cups of fresh lemon juice (I used 1 cup of fresh lemon juice and 1 cup of bottled lemon juice)
2 pints of fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
4 cups of seltzer
Ice
Whole strawberries for garnish

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves.
Add lemon juice and zest.  Stir.
Remove from heat.  Let cool.  Strain into pitcher.
Puree the strawberries in a blender.  Add to pitcher with lemon juice.  Stir.
Add seltzer.  Stir.
Refrigerate or pour over glasses filled with ice.  Garnish with strawberries.

My sis enjoyed the photo shoot sample.

Aren't summertime drinks the best?  As much as I love hot cocoas and ciders, there's nothing like an icy strawberry lemonade to go with your barbecue grub.  Soooo good.

-jillian m.