Lemonade Cooler
New Orleans
Drizzled over shaved-to-order ice, sweet-tart lemonade syrup makes a refreshing summer treat, but it can also be mixed with sparkling water for a simple but utterly satisfying homemade soda. Proprietor Ashley Hansen prefers to use fragrant Meyer lemons when they’re in season.
Ingredients
- 1 lemon
- 1 1/4 cups simple syrup (recipe follows)
- Sparkling water
- Sweetened condensed milk or whipped cream (optional)
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Method
For the simple syrup: combine the sugar with 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer until the sugar has dissolved, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
Using a Microplane or other fine grater, zest the lemon. Cut the lemon in half and use a reamer or juicer to extract the juice. In a large liquid measuring cup, stir together the zest, juice, and simple syrup.
Fill four tall glasses with ice and fill each halfway with the lemon mixture. Add a splash of sparkling water to each and top with condensed milk or whipped cream, if desired.
Yield
4 Servings
