Strawberry lemonade perfect way to use extra berries

I enjoy shopping for produce at farm stands, farmers markets and grocery stores that offer a vast array of beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables.

Unfortunately I often get caught in the moment and buy more produce than I need. And in turn I’m always thinking of new ways to use up my extra goodies before they spoil.

Strawberries are certainly something that need to be used fairly quickly as they have a short shelf life.

There are many ways to use them in sweet and savory creations, but a recipe that is an iconic symbol of summertime and also a perfect way to make use of extra berries is my strawberry lemonade.

The base for the lemonade comes together fairly easily and can be frozen for up to six months, which makes having a batch readily available at any time perfect for a gathering.

For added interest you can add a sparkling water to the chilled concentrate or even substitute Prosecco for a fun summer sipper.

This week I have included my recipe for strawberry lemonade. So put away that powdered mix and taste the freshness of summer in a glass. Enjoy!

Fresh Strawberry Lemonade

Serves 12

Ingredients

• 1 pound of fresh strawberries, cleaned and stemmed

• 3 cups sugar

• 10 cups water, divided

• 3 tablespoons lemon zest

• 3 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice

Preparation

1. Roughly chop strawberries and puree with 1 cup water in a blender or food processor. Strain them and mash through a mesh sieve for a clear beverage. Set aside.

2. Combine sugar, lemon zest, and 3 cups water in a sauce and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar to create a clear simple syrup. Remove from heat and strain through a mesh sieve. Cool to room temperature.

3. In a large pitcher combine the lemon juice, simple syrup, and pureed strawberries and stir to combine. Refrigerate until cold. Stir in remaining 4-6 cups of cold water to desired taste before serving. Serve over ice.

Note: The concentrate can be frozen up to 6 months. Just thaw and add desired amount of water to taste.

For an effervescent version you can substitute sparkling water to taste rather than still water.

For an adult beverage you can substitute Prosecco for the still water.

If you have a cooking question, contact me at cher.orr@gmail.com and I’d be happy to assist!