Grilled Lemonade
One of the most fabulous things about Summer is all of the fresh and amazing produce. I’m lucky enough to have friends with a lovely lemon tree in their back yard which provides some of the best lemons I’ve ever tasted.
This year we discovered grilling lemons to give them a wonderful smokey flavor just before juicing them into lemonade. The simple process brings such a complex and delightful twist to a quintessential Summer drink, lemonade. And of course when life gives you lemons you make lemonade cocktails!
Now if you don’t have a lemon tree in your backyard (or your friends) you can obviously get them anywhere. Though I’d recommend purchasing fresh lemons from your local farmers market since they will be the most fresh and juicy.
Grilled Lemon Juice Recipe:
- 1.5 cups fresh grilled lemon juice (about 8 large lemons)
- Organic sugar
This process is simple; first start by cutting the lemons into halves, then coating the exposed flesh with sugar.
Place all of your lemons face down on the grill. I used tin foil to help keep the lemon juices in (and hotdog juices out) and make clean up easier. Let grill for 15-20 minutes and then flip them and grill for another 5 minutes.
Let the lemons cool enough for you to touch them and juice normally.
Now the fun part! You can either use the very concentrated juice and mix it with a simple syrup to make it into a cocktail, obviously my recommendation (see recipe below) or you can add some sugar and water to make it into a non-alcoholic lemonade which you can then still add your favorite spirit to 😉
Grilled Lemon Juice Recipe:
- 1.5 cups grilled lemon juice
- 1.5 cups sugar
- 8 cups water
Follow the steps above to create the grilled lemon juice. Add all ingredients to a pitcher and stir. Easy as…well, making lemonade!
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Smoke on the Horizon
- 2 oz Casamigos Tequila
- 2 oz Grilled lemon juice
- 1 oz Lavender simple syrup
Glass: Smoking Bowl Garnish: Smoke (optional, requires smoking gun – if you’re fancy like us)
Add all ingredients with ice into a shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into glass and enjoy!