Homemade Vodka Lemonade

Lemonade is a sure hallmark of summertime— here’s how to enjoy the adult version…

This recipe follows a ~2:1 ratio of lemonade to vodka— you can adjust however you’d like to make it a bit stronger or more mild. I mixed a pitcher of homemade lemonade first, then added my vodka, and popped it in the fridge to keep it cool. Enjoyed outside as a family for Mother’s Day, and now on my mind for all future summer weekends!

Ingredients

• 4 c cold ice water
• 1 c sugar (we used white granulated)
• 5 lemons, about 1+ c juiced
• 2 c (+/- half a cup) vodka
  • (we used Ketel One, but I’d recommend using the nicer bottle you have in your liquor cabinet to keep your lemonade smooth!)
• A few tablespoons of caster sugar

Instructions

1. Before cutting your lemons, roll them on a cutting board. It gets the juices flowing.
2. Cut your lemons in half, and use a lemon press to squeeze fresh juice into a measuring cup. Fill a little over 1 c.
3. Add your water, sugar, and squeezed lemon juice to a pitcher and stir well to be sure the sugar dissolves.
4. Measure out and add your vodka. Stir well.
5. Add fresh lemon slices to the pitcher and pop in the fridge to keep it cold. Don’t add ice directly into the pitcher, otherwise you’ll water it down!
6. When serving:
   • Sprinkle a few tablespoons fine caster sugar onto a salad plate.
   • Cut a lemon wedge and gloss the rim of your cocktail glass with it, to create a sticky edge.
   • Flip your glass over and tap in the sugar for a sugar dusting.
   • Add a lemon slice to the rim and you’re ready to serve! See below for a photo of the finished product.

Cheers to summertime!

—M