Mmm...Raspberry Lemonade!

Summer is coming to a close soon, but I wanted to share my new favorite summer drink...HOMEMADE RASPBERRY LEMONADE! This recipe includes raspberries, but I have also added strawberries; other fruits would work well in here also. It is so easy to make and I would recommend it to all of you.

And of course; homemade is always better!

Ingredients
      1 cup sugar

      1 cup of water

      ¾ cup raspberries; pureed and pushed through a fine mesh sieve;

      plus more whole berries for garnish if desired

      1 cup fresh lemon juice (this equaled close to 8 of my lemons)

      4-6 cups cold water (this will vary depending on your taste)

Directions
      1. Make a simple syrup by combining the sugar with 1 cup of water in a

      saucepan. Place over medium heat and heat until the sugar in completely

      dissolved and becomes clear; swirl the pan occasionally. Let cool.

      2. Freshly squeeze about 8 lemons to get 1 cup fresh lemon juice.

      3. Measure 3/4 of fresh raspberries and puree them in your blender or food

      processor. Push the raspberry puree through a fine mesh sieve to separate

      the seeds from the pulp.

       4. Once the simple syrup has cooled, combine the raspberry puree, simple

       syrup and lemon juice in a large pitcher.

       5. Add 4-6 cups of cold water (I add 6 cups because I don't like drinks

       that are too sweet). The amount of water you use will depend on your

       taste, so add as little or as much as you want to achieve your perfect

       sweet/tart balance. 

       6. ENJOY! 

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