Pink Lemonade

Serves six to eight.

Yields about 7 cups.

To learn more, read:
Think Pink Lemonade
by Abigail Johnson Dodge
from Fine Cooking
Issue 80
Last Edit Date: 7/6/2011 4:50:30 PM

Strawberries lend a bright pink color and a sweet berry contrast to the tart lemon flavor in this quintessential summer drink.

Find more quintessential summer drink recipes on our Guide to Drinks & Entertaining.

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1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh strawberries (about 6 oz.)
Zest of 2 lemons, peeled off in strips with a vegetable peeler (avoid the white pith)
2 cups fresh lemon juice

Combine the sugar and strawberries with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium- high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the berries begin to release their color and soften slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in the lemon zest. Set aside and let cool completely. The berries will continue to soften and release their color while the syrup cools.

Pour the cooled syrup and berries into a fine sieve set over a pitcher or bowl. With the back of a spoon or a rubber spatula, press lightly on the berries to extract most of the syrup. Discard the solids.

Add the lemon juice and 2-1/2 cups cold water to the syrup mixture and stir until well blended.

The lemonade can be served immediately over ice or refrigerated for up to two days.

Garnish options, by the glass or by the pitcher:

Sliced strawberries, melon, or
peaches.

Whole blueberries, raspberries,
or pitted cherries.

Sprigs of fresh thyme, verbena, mint,
or rosemary.

Lemongrass slices or straws, lemon
or lime slices, or ginger slices.

nutrition information (per serving):
Size : based on eight servings; Calories (kcal): 170; Fat (g): 0; Fat Calories (kcal): 0; Saturated Fat (g): 0; Protein (g): 0; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 0; Carbohydrates (g): 45; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 0; Sodium (mg): 0; Cholesterol (mg): 0; Fiber (g): 1;

Photo: Scott Phillips

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by mojo_g, 6/16/2012I love the combination of tart and sweet - really, really nice!!

by mymal73, 6/30/2010Perfect Pink Lemonade! Love this recipe. We added citrus vodka for the adults to spike it up! Yum.

by tillerbear, 7/30/2009Yummy! Not too sweet. I usually shy away from pink lemonade because of the grenadine, but this has a true natural taste.

by hcspoon, 5/17/2009Very refreshing drink on a hot day! Not too sweet and not too tart. Just perfect!

by phorn571, 7/8/2008Delicious - with the strawberries or without. Great with some lemon vodka or lemoncello for a refreshing summer day cocktail

by chefdana, 4/13/2008Sweet, tart, delicious. Doesn't have that "artificial" taste of lemonade in a can or from a mix.

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Pink Lemonade

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