Homemade Lemonade Sweetened with Honey

Lemonade is a summer time staple. Who can enjoy celebrating the heat of summer without a tall glass of homemade lemonade. Yes, I know that lemons are not very local, but I think for this one recipe, there can be an exception to the rule. I mean it is lemonade after all and there are ways to make this drink with other local ingredients.  Such as honey. Mmm nothing is sweeter than local honey. I cannot remember how long ago I had store bought lemonade sweetened with refined sugar, so I cannot compare the tastes, but this honey variation is good amazing!

Fill the glass full with ice, pour the lemonade over and drink away.

Oh right, the recipe, hehe.

Homemade Lemonade

4 cups of very warm water

2 cups of room temperature water

1/3 cup of honey + 2 tablespoons

6 organic lemons + 1 for garnish

fresh sprigs of local organic mint

lots of ice (about 2 cups)

To heat the water, I like to put 4 cups of water in a kettle and place on  burner till very hot and starting to steam. Pour the very warm water into heat proof container. Add in the honey. Stir to combine then add in the room temperature water.

Squeeze the juice out of the 6 lemons. Place a strainer over the opening of the water-honey mixture and pour in the lemon juice.

Add in the ice and the mint. Chill in the refrigerator. Before serving, cut the last lemon into slices and place in the jug. The sliced lemons and the mint leaves are beautiful garnishes for this delicious beverage.

For more of a tart flavour, do not add in the extra two tablespoons of honey. 

My children, husband and I love this recipe. I make it quite often during the summer. Sometimes I feel like adding a little extra local flavouring to the recipe and I'll add in frozen strawberries or raspberries that we picked to replace some of the ice. When the glass is empty, the berries can be eaten for yet another sweet treat.

This lemonade would be perfect for a picnic or family event. Depending on how thirsty people are or how many lemonade lovers there are - I usually drink about two or three glasses myself - this recipe should give you about eight glasses worth. That's if you do not have a lemonade monster, like myself, anywhere near the lemonade. Aside from plain water, the only other beverage I love more than lemonade is carbonated water. Try substituting the two cups of room temperature water for some carbonated water. It does not necessarily have to be room temperature, just make sure the 4 cups of very warm water  has cooled a bit before adding the cold carbonated water.

Since this lemonade is sweetened with honey, I do not feel guilty serving it to children (over the age of one, since honey in young children can be unsafe). My little ones love this drink. Every time I make it my daughter says "mmm, that's good lemonade mom". Of course, I let out a little smile. Pleasing their palates is my ultimate goal.

 Are you a lemonade lover? Why not try making some homemade lemonade sweetened with honey!


Bon Appetit!
Chef Momma




This post was shared on the Melt in your Mouth #30 at make ahead meals for busy moms.