I am channeling all my summer time feels here in hopes for warmer weather. As of yesterday there was still a pile of snow outside of my house and I am still leaving every morning in a hat, mittens, and a winter jacket.
I want t-shirts and shorts, I want sandals, and I want to set my winter jacket on fire (not really, but kinda).
This cold weather has crept back into my soul and I needed something to remind me that there will be warmer days to come and I will soon be bitching about how hot I am and blah blah blah.. you know how it goes.
So I make lemonade. This lemonade as inspired by my favorite tea as of late, raspberry zinger. It's a nice and tangy tart and really tasty. I make great big jar of it at night and add a little squeeze or two of lemon to it for that little extra zing. I figured if it tastes good hot, it will taste great cold, which in fact, it does. It taste really freaking good. And it just occurred to me that there is probably a little subliminal inspiration from Beyonce in wanting lemonade, so thanks for the B.
Anyway, it's suppose to me nice and seasonably warm this weekend. Maybe bust out your lemonade game and try a batch of this one.
The stuff. Lemons, a raspberry zinger tea bag, honey (or any sweetener you like to use) water and ice.
Bring some of that water to aalmost boil and pour it over the tea bag (make sure you stick the bag into a jar or pitcher)
While the tea is steeping, juice the lemons. And a personal preference, you can strain out the pulp or not. I use the strainer to catch the seeds but then stick the pulp back in cause I like pulp. All up to you.
While the tea is steeping and still hot, add in any sweetener that you want to use. ( I used a little honey) Stir until that sweetness is all dissolved.
And after the tea has had a good steep, dump the brewed tea into the pitcher with the lemon juice then add in the really cold water. Stir it all around.
Add acouple thin slices of lemon to make it all fancy anda few big chunks of ice to make it super cold
Refreshing, crispy, tangy with a touch of sweet....Perfect for all those warm summer days to come (hopefully)
Have a great weekend people.
-C
Raspberry Zinger Lemonade
Makes 5 cups
- 1 raspberry zinger tea bag( I used Celestial Seasonings)
- 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (3-5 lemons, depending on size)
- Anywhere between no to 1/2 cup of sweeter (can use sugar, honey or maple, I like a touch of honey)
- 4 cups water (2 hot, 2 cold)
- ice
Place tea bag in 2 cups of hot water (can be done directly in a pitcher) Add in the sweetener while its still hot and mix until completely dissolved. Let steep for about 10 minutes.
Remove tea bag and add in the lemon juice, 2 more cups of cold water and mix, Top with ice and garnish with a few more lemon slices if your feeling fanciful.
Serve in a glass full of ice with a wedge of lemon and a smile on you face.
