This is such a simple recipe... lemons, sugar, sparkling water. Quantities vary (which makes it fun) and it tastes SOOO much better than your average shop bought stuff. All it takes is just a little time and prep.
I say it's a recipe its more an explanation as there are no clear quantities given but stick with it :)
For the amount of lemons I have here (about 8) I used just under 5 tablespoons of granulated sugar (caster would work just as well as would most sugars). That gives you a sharp taste without the bitterness, depending on the type of sugar you use it could have a slightly different overall taste. You can add more sugar to taste, you can add ginger, or lime, or orange (what ever takes your fancy).
First of, roll your lemons as this will help to release all the juice, especially if you have gone for the basics range. In fact if I'm honest unless you have a bit of cash burning a hole in your pocket or don't plan to make too much then you could get the best quality lemons ever... or just get the smaller basic ones and use them.
Once rolled, cut and juice into a small pan (pips and all), add small amounts of sugar to just take the edge off sharp bitter taste. Bring to a short boil and leave to cool, this step is necessary as it helps the sugar and lemon juice combine. I used to not warm through the juice and it just tasted like, lemon juice watered down with sugar at the bottom. I also added a little ginger into it as well, just to give it a slightly different taste. It's subtle but there.
Once cooled a bit (say 30 mins) strain out all the pulp and pips, and taste again for sweetness you will probably need a little more - this is down to personal taste but add little by little. Place in the fridge and allow to cool properly. You could make this in the evening the before you want to drink it. Once completely cooled add the sparkling water, I choose soda water, but you could use normal sparkling stuff.
Tonic may not be such a good idea as it has a very distinct taste, but could be worth an experiment. There you have it... yep that's right it's done. From start to drink it takes a couple of hours (including cooling time).
Summer time in a glass!
There is no scale today as cost will depend on how many lemons you buy, if you already have a bottle of water in the house, what sugar you use. You could add other items like ginger which would affect the cost, you may wish to add spices (especially if you want to use dark muscavado sugar, this will make it more treacely but hay "he who dares..").
But lets do a little comparison here shall we? After all there is a smidge of work to do so why not just go out and buy it.
Well cost wise the amount I made would have cost just over £2 (two lots of lemons and a bottle of own brand soda water) I have tons of sugar so that really doesn't count for much. What about the secret lemonade brand it self? R Whites?
Two litres of this stuff will cost £1.29 - cheaper by a little way. So what's in it?
Carbonated Water, Sugar, Lemon Juice from Concentrate (2%), Citric Acid, Flavouring, Acidity Regulator (Sodium Citrate), Sweeteners (Acesulfame K, Aspartame, Saccharin), Preservative (Sodium Benzoate), Contains a source of Phenylalanine.
Bit much for lemonade wouldn't you say?
So what about some of that cloudy stuff as that is a much better comparison: This is an own brand so even cheaper at 69P for two litres - can't even compare with that. Ingredients?
Carbonated Water, Sugar, Lemon Fruit from concentrate (4%), Fruit Juices from concentrate (Lemon & Orange) (2%), Citric Acid, Flavourings, Preservatives: Potassium Sorbate, Sulphur Dioxide, Acidity Regulator: Sodium Citrate
Lemon AND orange?!! A lot of random minerals too. It should read "Carbonated water, lemon juice, sugar" not sugar second and it uses sweeteners too, a bit much. What happened to good ol' lemons sugar and water?! Oh yes shelf life....
So what I can say, yet again making your own isn't as cheap, but it's a darn sight better for you. So get the kids involved (juicing can be a little boring when you have a lot of lemons to do), get it in the fridge and enjoy the fruits of your labour. It tastes a million, gajillion times better.
Go on you know you want to ;)
In fact I may just try a few variations on a theme over the summer, maybe make it a bit spicy and dark tasting with muscavado sugar. What this space.....
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