vanilla bean lemonade . . .

Lemonade will always hold a special place in my heart.

It's reminds me of long, leisurely walks through the local Farmer's Market in my home-town.

The Farmer's Market has been a part of my life since my early twenties.

For more than a decade,  I visited weekly. It was . . . and still is . . . a great source of inspiration for me.

Before I got married and moved South to a new county, I would venture to the Farmer's Market every Saturday morning with my sister.

There was a Lemonade Stand that offered a variety of amazing fresh lemonades . . . blueberry, strawberry, lime, and watermelon.

We would arrive early to beat the crowds and the heat; and even with our arms full of flowers and fresh fruits and vegetables, we always found room to carry a large cup of lemonade.

There's really nothing like the taste of fresh, home-made lemonade.

It's nothing like the lemon-flavored beverages you order in restaurants. Instead, home-made lemonade actually tastes (and smells) like real lemons. It's sweet and a little tart . . . and refreshing, especially on a hot Summer day.

Although our local Farmer's Market doesn't have a Lemonade Stand like the one in my home-town, it doesn't mean that I can't enjoy fresh lemonade at home.

One of my favorite Summer activities to do with my little ones is make lemonade.

We've made several flavors over the years, including blueberry, blackberry mint, peach & thyme, cucumber mint, and strawberry.

With strawberry season in full swing here, we're looking forward to making Strawberry Lemonade the week after my six-AND-seven-year-old are on Summer break . . . 7 days and counting down (smile!).

While at our kids' Open House a few weeks ago, we were invited to pick more lemons from the tree on campus. It was an offer I/we couldn't turn down (smile!). I still can't believe how many lemons were on that tree! So we filled a bag and headed home with thoughts of what we were going to do with them. 

We thought it would be fun to make vanilla bean lemonade for our seven-year-old's class to thank them for sharing so many lemons with us over the last several weeks. 

You can see a photo of the lemonade basket I dropped off at Charley's class on my Instagram, here. I was so happy to hear that the lemonade was a hit! Yay!

vanilla bean lemon simple syrup

Do you see the vanilla beans?

((recipe below))

Have you ever had Vanilla Lemonade? It's so unique! 

It's sweet & tart . . . with a warm & smooth finish.  It might sound a little strange . . . but it's so good! 

I like to prepare the vanilla bean simple syrup a few days in advance, so that the vanilla beans have a chance to infuse all its warm flavor into the sweet syrup.

My little ones take turns squeezing the lemons, using the same glass lemon squeezer from my childhood (smile!); then we add just the right amount of water to make the lemon base for our lemonade; and finally, we add the vanilla bean lemon syrup. Voila! 

With the right lemon juice : water : vanilla lemon syrup ratio (see recipe below) . . . you, too, can enjoy Vanilla Bean Lemonade at home, which is sure to be a hit with your family and friends!

And stay tuned for my Strawberry Lemonade recipe . . . just in time for your Fourth of July picnic or gathering.

Have a great weekend!

for the vanilla bean lemon simple syrup

.     .     .     .     .     .     .

2 cup sugar

2 cup water

6 slices of lemon peel

2 vanilla bean, seeded

1 generous pinch of salt

Cheesecloth, to strain syrup
*For a stronger vanilla flavor, prepare one day in advance.

     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     

for the lemonade

.     .     .     .     .     .     .

juice of 6-8 lemons, strained

8 cups of water

1+ cups of vanilla/lemon simple syrup

lemon slices to garnish

    .     .     .     .     .     .     .     

Slice the vanilla bean in half and with the back of your knife scrape out all the seeds.

Bring sugar, water, vanilla beans and pod, lemon peels and salt to boil on your stove.

After sugar dissolves I gently simmer mine 5-10 minutes to really get the lemon peel flavor in there.

Remove from heat, strain through a few layers of cheesecloth set over a large measuring cup and cool. *For a stronger vanilla flavor, prepare (and refrigerate) one day in advance.

Once the syrup has cooled; add it to a large pitcher along with the 8-10 cups of water and strained lemon juice. Stir well. Garnish with a few lemon slices.

If you like your lemonade on the sweeter side, then add 1/4 cup more vanilla lemon syrup until you reach desired sweetness.

For a stronger vanilla flavored lemonade, prepare at least one day before serving.
The longer is sits, the stronger the flavors.

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Simply Suzannes at Home

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fresh strawberry lemonade

The Littles and I made strawberry lemonade on our first official day of Summer break.

We make fresh lemonade every Summer. It's been a tradition of ours for several years . . . and I couldn't think of a better way to kick-off the season.

We picked up several baskets of these beautiful, sweet berries from the Farmers Market . . . and couldn't wait to make the Strawberry syrup for this amazing lemonade.

The strawberry syrup is what makes this humble drink extra special!

It's so simple to make, and can be added to traditional lemonade, orange juice, 7Up/Sprite, sparkling water, or even drizzled over ice cream, waffles, pancakes, oatmeal, and angel food cake.

We love adding it to our fresh lemonade most!

Strawberry is their favorite flavored-lemonade . . . so they're always so excited to help squeeze lemons and stir the macerated strawberries, in hopes of making more syrup.

We have so much fun making lemonade . . . and creating new flavors to enjoy throughout the warm Summer months.

It's simple traditions like these that bring fun and happiness to our Summers 'at home.'

strawberry lemonade

.     .     .     .     .

zest of 1 lemon, in wide strips

2 cups sugar

2 cups chopped hulled strawberries

2 cups fresh lemon juice, strained (from about 10 large lemons)

.     .     .     .     .

Lemon syrup

Bring the lemon zest, 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring, until the sugar dissolves; let cool to room temperature.

Strawberry syrup

Toss the strawberries and the remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a bowl, stir, and let sit at room temperature until the sugar dissolves, about 45 minutes. Strain the strawberry mixture; reserve the strawberry syrup and berries separately.

Strawberry lemonade 

Combine the lemon juice, lemon syrup, and 4-6 cups cold water in a pitcher. For each drink, put about 1 Tablespoon (or more) of the strawberry syrup in a tall glass. Fill with ice, then top with the lemonade and some of the reserved strawberries; OR slowly pour strawberry syrup into a pitcher of lemonade until your reach desired strawberry flavor.

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Simply Suzannes at Home

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Sharing with . . . .

Thoughts from Alice, DIY Showoff, Stephanie Lynn, It's Overflowing, Twelve O Eight, Carrie This Home, Huckleberry Love,  Smart Party Planning,  The Dedicated House, Mod Vintage Life, Lori's Culinary Creations, Home Stories, StoneGable, An Extraordinary Day, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, Karen's Up on the Hill, Three Kids and a Fish, Between Naps on the Front Porch, Tumbleweed Contessa, A Stroll Thru Life,, Life With Garnish. Elizabeth & Co, Home Remedies, Time Warp Wife,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, Just a Girl and Her Blog, The Recipe Critic, Janine Huldie, Carolyn's Homework,  Fluster Buster   Designs by Miss Mandee,  Craftie Allie,  Wednesday morning The Blissful Bee,  The Newlywed Pilgrimage, Lamberts Lately, Live Laugh Rowe, The Charm of Home, From My Front Porch to ours, Delightsome Life., Posed Perfection, Katherine's Corner,Imparting Grace, Nancherrow, The Freshman Cook,  Jann Olson, Home  Maid Simple, Anderson + Grant,  Rooted in Thyme, A Dish of Daily Life,  Shabby Nest Sunflower Supper Club, Blooming Homestead, The Girl Creative, Reasons to Skip the Housework, View from the Fridge, 3 Little Greenwoods

cucumber mint lemonade . . . a Spring & Summer mocktail

Have you ever sipped on a tall glass of cucumber mint lemonade brimming with sliced cucumbers and lemons . . . and a tall sprig of fresh mint!?

It's so incredibly refreshing and delicious . . . a pretty drink to enjoy Spring through the hot days of Summer.

We hosted a mocktail bar at our oldest son's 21st birthday last month. Since it was my first time hosting one, I researched and researched . . . and then sampled . . . so many mocktail recipes!

There were two party favorites, and this was one of them.

I think what makes these kinds of drinks so fun and unique is that the pitcher and glasses are FULL of fresh and beautiful ingredients . . . making them feel (and look) special!

Although I took a shortcut and used Simply Lemonade as my base (which by the way is an AMAZING all natural lemonade), I added lots of fresh sliced cucumbers and lemons for additional FRESH flavors.

Oh, and I add a secret ingredient . . . LIME slices! The lime cuts through the tart lemon . . . rounding out all the flavors.

And because I add a tall sprig of mint to each glass, its heavenly fresh scent is the first thing you smell when you sip this refreshing mocktail. Ahhhh!

cucumber mint lemonade mocktail

59 ounce carafe of Simply Lemonade

1 large cucumber, thinly sliced

1 large lemon, thinly sliced

1 lime, thinly sliced

2 bunches of mint leaves

Pour Lemonade into a large pitcher.

Place 1 bunch of mint leaves into pitcher, and muddle them with the back of a wooden spoon.

Add half of the cucumber and lemon slices.

Refrigerate for up to an hour before serving.

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

Add several cucumber and lemon slices, 1-2 LIME slices, and one sprig of mint to each glass.

Pour cold lemonade over the fruit slices and mint.

ENJOY!

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Simply Suzannes at Home

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another refreshind drink . . .

fresh blueberry mint lemonade

Thank you so much for stopping by!
I love reading your comments and appreciate them so much!

Sharing with . . . .

Stephanie Lynn, It's Overflowing, Twelve O Eight, Carrie This Home, Baking in Pajamas, Huckleberry Love, Dwellings, Smart Party Planning,  The Dedicated House, Mod Vintage Life, Lori's Culinary Creations, Home Stories, StoneGable, An Extraordinary Day, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, Karen's Up on the Hill, Three Kids and a Fish, Between Naps on the Front Porch, Tumbleweed Contessa, A Stroll Thru Life,, Life With Garnish. Elizabeth & Co, Home Remedies,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, The Recipe Critic, Janine Huldie, Carolyn's Homework,  Fluster Buster   Designs by Miss Mandee,  Craftie Allie,  Wednesday morning The Blissful Bee,  The Newlywed Pilgrimage,  Chic California, Lamberts Lately, Live Laugh Rowe, The Charm of Home, From My Front Porch to ours, Delightsome Life., Posed Perfection, Katherine's Corner, Nancherrow, The Freshman Cook,  Jann Olson, Home  Maid Simple, Anderson + Grant,  Rooted in Thyme, Everyday Enchanted Home, Sunflower Supper Club

peaches & thyme lemonade with maple agave syrup

My husband and I recently spent a wonderful weekend on Coronado Island celebrating my 40th birthday.

While we were there we enjoyed long walks on the beach, bike rides, and relaxed over long, leisurely meals.

One of the highlights of our weekend was having Sunday brunch in the Crown Room at Hotel del Coronado.

I'm still in awe over the incredible menu that not only included typical American brunch entrees, but also Mediterranean, Italian, Spanish, and French.  There were even fresh juices like cantaloupe & peach, honeydew & mint, and fresh lemonades.

There was one juice, in particular, that captured my heart (and taste buds). What made it so special was that it was sweetened with maple syrup, instead of sugar.

I know, sounds a little strange, right!?! But it was so good. Complex . . . and good.

After arriving home, I thought I would try my hand at a refreshing lemonade that's sweetened with maple agave syrup . . . and so inspired this unique and refreshing Summer drink.

While walking through our Farmer's Market with my little ones, I spotted beautiful yellow and white peaches. Within just a few feet of them, I could smell their intoxicating sweetness . .  and couldn't resist buying them.

While I was eyeing the peaches, my little ones were eyeing the lemons. No surprise, I guess. They love making lemonade, like blackberry & mint lemonade and blueberry lemonade.

I had a thought of pairing our two finds . . .  peaches and lemons . . . and making another flavored lemonade. A new one . . . inspired by the beautiful, fresh drinks we had on our trip.

Since I think that adding herbs to lemonade adds an incomparable freshness, I added thyme to this one (instead of mint), as it pairs well with maple and lemon.

This recipe has everything you love about homemade lemonade but with the sophisticated pairing of peach and thyme along with a healthier sweetener.

The meat of the peach gives this lemonade 'body' . . . and the maple and thyme warm the tart flavors of the lemon; together with the tender sweetness of the peaches and agave . . . you have a refreshing (and unique) Summer drink.

 maple agave lemonade with peaches & thyme

.     .     .     .     .     .

3 peaches, sliced and pit removed

zest of 1 small lemon

2 sprigs of fresh thyme, and a few extra for serving

3/4 cup maple agave syrup

4 cups water,  fresh or sparkling

½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

.     .     .     .     .     .

Preparation

In a blender, combine the peaches, lemon zest, thyme, maple agave syrup and ½ cup of the water. Blend until smooth.

Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve and into a large pot or bowl. Discard the leftover pulp.

Stir in the lemon juice then top up with the water until you reach a desired taste and sweetness. Add more if needed.

Pour into a pitcher or glass bottle. Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. 

To serve, pour over a glass of ice and add a few sprigs of fresh thyme, and a slice of lemon and peach, if you wish. 

I recommend having a petite carafe with extra maple agave syrup for those who like their lemonade on the sweeter side. 

For a fast and easy dessert, 

serve with a humble (and slightly sweet) cookie like a Madeleine. 

The tender flavor of the Madeleine will allow the sophisticated flavors of this lemonade shine!

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the best blackberry & mint lemonade

the best blueberry & mint lemonade