La Cucina #24 - Summer Drinks: Lemon with a Twist

Pepper-Mint Limeade

Makes 2 liter or ½ gallon

Prep: 5 minutes
Ready: 8 hours 5 minutes

Shopping List:

• 4 limes, juiced
• 200 gr or 1 cup white sugar
• 2 sprigs fresh mint
• 2 liter or ½ gallon
• 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, sliced

TO MAKE:

1. In a large pitcher, stir together the lime juice and sugar until dissolved.
2. Stir in mint sprigs, and mash with a wooden spoon to release some of the oils.
3. Pour in water, and mix well.
4. Mix in jalapeno slices.
5. Put a lid on the pitcher, and refrigerate 8 hours, or overnight.

Note: We all love sweets but you can cut down on sugar in this recipe by using 50 gr or ¼ cup of sugar and adding 1 tablespoon of powdered stevia [a naturally no-calorie herbal sweetener]. Of course the counted carbs and calories will go down too in the list below.

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 108
Total Fat: 0.1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 8mg
Total Carbs: 28.7g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Protein: 0.3g

Honey Limeade

Makes 2 liter or ½ gallon

Prep:15 minutes
Ready:15 minutes

Shopping List:

• 350 ml or 1½ cups lime juice
• 1650 ml or 7 cups water
• 200 gr 1 cup and white sugar
• 60 ml or 3 tablespoons honey

TO MAKE:

1. In a pitcher, combine lime juice, water, sugar and honey.
2. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
3. Put a lid on the pitcher, and refrigerate.
4. Serve cold over ice cubes.

Note: You can cut down on sugar in this recipe by using 50 gr or ¼ cup of sugar and adding 1 tablespoon of powdered stevia [a naturally no-calorie herbal sweetener]. Of course the counted carbs and calories will go down too in the list below.

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 118
Total Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 1mg
Total Carbs: 31.4g
Dietary Fiber: 0.2g
Protein: 0.2g

Cucumber Lemonade

Makes 2 liter or ½ gallon

Prep:15 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Ready: 50 minutes

Shopping List:

• 475 ml or 2 cups water
• 200 gr or 1 cup white sugar
• 2 cucumbers, sliced
• 12 lemons, juiced

TO MAKE:

1. Make a simple syrup by stirring the water and sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat; heat until just about to boil and the sugar has dissolved.
2. Place in refrigerator 30 minutes, or until cool.
3. Place the cucumber slices in a blender or food processor; blend until mashed into a pulp.
4. Pour the cucumber pulp into a fine mesh strainer place over a bowl to catch the liquid; allow to sit until you have about 350 ml or 1½ cup of liquid from the cucumbers, about 15 minutes. If it’s more don’t worry, it will enhance the flavor.
5. Stir the simple syrup, cucumber liquid, and lemon juice together in a pitcher.
6. Top with enough water to make 2 liter or ½ gallon.
7. Serve cold over ice cubes.

Note 1: You can cut down on sugar in this recipe by using 50 gr or ¼ cup of sugar for the simple syrup, and adding 1 tablespoon of powdered stevia [a naturally no-calorie herbal sweetener] when all has cooled down. Of course the counted carbs and calories will go down too in the list below.

Note 2: Add more water to get the flavor you want. You can also mix a cup of water with the unpeeled cucumber in the blender to make the blending process easier. When you don’t mind a little cucumber pulp getting through a mesh strainer. If you do mind put a coffee filter in the strainer it creates a more refined drink.

Note 3: Cucumbers all come in different shapes, sizes and thicknesses [heard this one before?]. So use a 6-8 inches of the middle of a nice ripe one. Or use an english cucumber, only because I find it more subtle or fresh tasting.

Note 4: You can splash in some Grey Goose, or the plain vodka of your choice.

ENJOY !

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 141
Total Fat: 0.6g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 8mg
Total Carbs: 45.5g
Dietary Fiber: 8.2g
Protein: 2.5g

PDF of these recipes: 20120621-Summer-Drinks-Lemon-with-Twist