"Anne had brought glasses and lemonade for her guests, but for her own part drank cold brook water from a cup fashioned out of birch bark… Anne thought it more appropriate to the occasion than lemonade."
~ Excerpt from Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montgomery
We like to make batches of frozen "Minute-Maid-Like" lemonade concentrate while the citrus fruits are in season. This is something you can preserve now to bless your family with in the summer. Usually, it is the other way around! And the best part is that our recipe is simple to prepare and healthy too since lemon juice is full of vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, phosphorus and antioxidants (benefits of raw honey are shared here).
To Prepare for Freezer
Stir the following ingredients together (it is fine if it doesn't mix together perfectly due to thicker honey), place in small plastic containers, label and freeze for the future.
- 1/2 cup - ¾ cup of raw honey (use 1/2 cup if you like tart lemonade, ¾ cup if you like sweet)
- ¾ cup of fresh lemon juice
Serving Directions
To prepare, add 2 quarts of water (room temperature is fine) and one container of your lemonade concentrate (frozen concentrate will release easier from container if you run tap water on its underside for a few minutes) to a large pitcher. Stir contents until dissolved.
We like to place 4 cubes of ice in each 16 oz. glass for a good ratio of flavor when serving.
Freezer Labels
I paste labels on my frozen concentrates so that I can identify them and the directions are right there when I need to prepare them. Simply download and print the sheet from the link below if you are interested.
This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: Modest Mom Monday's, Homestead Barn Hop, Teach Me Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Make Bake Create, Wise Woman Link Up, Christian Homemaking, Welcome Home Wednesday, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Homemaking Wednesdays, Homemaking Thursdays, From the Farm Blog Hop, Farmgirl Friday, and Clever Chicks Blog Hop. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these.
I would love to have a lemon tree! I wonder if they would grow in New York? All of that lovely lemonade!!:)
ReplyDeleteI don't know but it would be worth a try!
DeleteYou have the best ideas. Lemonade is so refreshing in the summer.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Have a wonderful week Magnolia Tea! :)
DeleteWhat a fabulous idea! It seems like I never have lemonade on hand when I need it. If I made my own than I could fill my freezer full. Thank you, JES :) Have a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteYes, and healthier too! :)
DeleteI received lemons in my latest produce box--thanks for the idea on how to use them!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Lemons are so fun! Be sure to check out our citrus series link (shared in post above) for many other ways to use them :)
DeleteAnother great post! Wish I had access to all those lovely lemons, we love them around here. Can't wait to try this concentrate, I love the idea and of course love your wonderful labels!
ReplyDeleteThanks Annie! Nice to hear from you :)
DeleteWe will be trying this! Thank you for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Do you have a lemon tree?
DeleteWow Jes, I wonder if this would work with oranges? We have a valencia orange tree and this would be a perfect way to preserve them for our family!
ReplyDeleteOoh… I don't know. Haven't experimented with orange juices yet but let me know if you end up trying. I would be very interested :)
DeleteYou must have oodles of lemons!! I am blessed to see your inventiveness and resourcefulness to use them all. That is a LOT of lemonade...worth the time to store up the nutritional goodness!
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings in the Lord Jesus! Missing you bunches~!
You're making me want some citrus trees!! One day Lord willing.
ReplyDelete