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 |  squeezer w/pulp strainer |  pulp & seeds stay on top |  no pulp strainer on yours? Use a regular small strainer |  thinly slice the squeezed halves |
Normally, the jars of "Simply Lemonade" or "Simply Limeade" in the fresh juice section of the grocery store are pricier than other brands (close to, or maybe more than $3.99) ~ but the fact that they use FRESH LEMON and LIME JUICE and real sugar makes them better than juice from concentrates with added preservatives or whatever. The only problem is that they're both WAY too sweet! So, since the price of a big fresh lemon is now between $.68 and $1 A PIECE (maybe more by the time you see this), it's actually cheaper to use the Simply Lemonade or Limeade as your starting point! Make sure to get the largest lemons and/or limes you can find! (You could even use 1 of each per pitcher)
My grandmother always made her famous 2-lemon LEMONADE during the summer, and that's what I always do too. My teenage grandkids absolutely love it, and will go through at least 3 big pitchers whenever they're here! Everyone else who tastes it also says I make the best lemonade ~ and if you use my "secret ingredient", then you'll get that comment too.
But, if I use 2 big lemons for each pitcher now ~ that's about $2 for lemons ~ plus the cost of sugar (the mint is rampant in my yard, so free). A jar of SIMPLY LEMONADE or SIMPLY LIMEADE is just so sweet, that it can be split between 2 big pitchers or 3 average pitchers! Then, add the juice of 1 additional lemon or lime to each pitcher ~ NO SUGAR ~ but add 1/2 tsp. of real vanilla extract! (Add the vanilla extract to ANY lemonade you make ~ whether it's fresh, frozen concentrate or powdered. GAME CHANGER!)
I throw in a few mint leaves to each pitcher or "doctored" jar of Lemonade or Limeade. And, if you want to add lemon / lime slices, slice one of the halves that you've already squeezed (don't use a whole one for that! Too much money).... You can leave out the mint if you don't have any, or don't like it.
This is good for a crowd (or just to keep in your fridge). Just my husband and I will drink about 2 jars a day because it isn't overly sweet, so it's very refreshing when it's hot out!
***
TIP: I found my Depression glass lemon strainers on eBay, and they were surprisingly inexpensive. The smaller one has a pulp & seed strainer on top, so just the juice goes into the bottom tray. If I use the larger one, then I strain the juice through a regular small strainer.
My grandmother always made her famous 2-lemon LEMONADE during the summer, and that's what I always do too. My teenage grandkids absolutely love it, and will go through at least 3 big pitchers whenever they're here! Everyone else who tastes it also says I make the best lemonade ~ and if you use my "secret ingredient", then you'll get that comment too.
But, if I use 2 big lemons for each pitcher now ~ that's about $2 for lemons ~ plus the cost of sugar (the mint is rampant in my yard, so free). A jar of SIMPLY LEMONADE or SIMPLY LIMEADE is just so sweet, that it can be split between 2 big pitchers or 3 average pitchers! Then, add the juice of 1 additional lemon or lime to each pitcher ~ NO SUGAR ~ but add 1/2 tsp. of real vanilla extract! (Add the vanilla extract to ANY lemonade you make ~ whether it's fresh, frozen concentrate or powdered. GAME CHANGER!)
I throw in a few mint leaves to each pitcher or "doctored" jar of Lemonade or Limeade. And, if you want to add lemon / lime slices, slice one of the halves that you've already squeezed (don't use a whole one for that! Too much money).... You can leave out the mint if you don't have any, or don't like it.
This is good for a crowd (or just to keep in your fridge). Just my husband and I will drink about 2 jars a day because it isn't overly sweet, so it's very refreshing when it's hot out!
***
TIP: I found my Depression glass lemon strainers on eBay, and they were surprisingly inexpensive. The smaller one has a pulp & seed strainer on top, so just the juice goes into the bottom tray. If I use the larger one, then I strain the juice through a regular small strainer.
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