Black Raspberry Ginger Lemonade with Mint

It feels like 105 degrees today and yet I still managed to spend some time outside.  I was only out for an hour, and when I got back inside I felt as if someone had dumped a bucket of water over my head from sweating so much, as the dewpoint is at 79%.  Why do I live in Minnesota again? Despite the humidity, my time outdoors was worth it.  I went berry picking.  Beautiful wild black raspberries to be specific! 

 

They are like little delicious deep purple jewels of goodness!  I actually prefer the flavor of the black ones to the red, they are sweeter and the flavor is more concentrated.  I wish I could have a large bush of them growing in my back yard, but I have to settle for going elsewere to find them.  That is ok though, it is more interesting that way. 

 

So today when I came home all hot and sweaty, full of bug bites and scratches from the raspberry bushes and I needed something cold and refreshing to drink to cool off.  I decided a black raspberry ginger lemonade with mint.  I figured I might as well make something featuring the delicious harvest I had just gathered.  It hit the spot and cooled me off.  The drink was sweet and tart, refreshing and cooling, perfect for curing the effects of the nasty humidity!  Hope it is cooler where you are, but if not, make one for yourself and enjoy!

 

 

Black Raspberry Ginger Lemonade with Mint

Makes 1

6 fresh mint leaves

about 6 ice cubes

1/3 cup black raspberries

2 Tbsp ginger syrup* or to taste

1/3 cup lemon juice

ice cubes
ice water

In a large glass, muddle mint with ice until mint is crushed up, then add berries and mush a bit to release juices.  Add ginger syrup, 1/3 cup lemon juice, and a few ice cubes, along with enough cold water to fill the glass and stir until blended. 

 

*Ginger Syrup

1 inch piece of ginger

1/2 cup boiling water

1/2 cup agave nectar

 

Combine all ingredients in a clean jar and stir to dissolve agave nectar.  Place in the fridge and let sit overnight, or a few days before using.  Remove ginger and use to sweeten drinks with a kick!

 

Rosemary Gin Lemonade

If I am feeling too hot on a warm evening, honey lemonade is often my go to drink.  I make many varitations of it, herbs happen to be my favorite!  A butt kicking work day however...is another story.  Then that drink might have to be a martini.  But today happened to be both, so it was a tough descision!  Today at work it was as if everyone came back from their labor day celebrations at the cabin hungry, and hit the deli where I work hard!  I felt like I was running around like a crazy woman, and that is just the sort of day that calls for a delicious refreshing drink while relaxing at home afterwards!  Since the refreshing gin of the martini and the tart sweetness of the lemonade both sounded good, I combined them and made honey gin lemonade.  But not just plain honey gin lemonade. 

Rosemary infused!  I had some honey syrup infused with rosemary that I thought would be a nice addition to sweeten the drink and it was!  The herby rosemary was perfect with the refreshing gin, not to mention the aroma was calming!  The lemonade was just the right tart sweetness and the floral honey paired well with the rosemary!  It was just what the doctor ordered for today.  Butt kicking day no more after savoring every last drop of it!  If you had a butt kicking day, or just wish to relax, here is the recipe for this concoction!

Rosemary Gin Lemonade

makes 1

1/3 cup lemon juice

4 oz gin
2 Tbsp honey rosemary syrup*
ice
a few sprigs rosemary
a few lemon slices
sparkling water

In a martini shaker, combine lemon juice, gin, and honey syrup (more if a sweeter drink is desired), and shake until well blended.  Place a good amount of ice in a tall glass, along with a few sprigs of rosemary, and a few lemon slices.  Pour drink into the glass, and top off with some sparkling water...enjoy!

*To make honey rosemary syrup, combine 1/4 cup boiling water, 1/4 cup honey and 2 Tbsp fresh rosemary in a container.  Cool, cover, and place in the fridge and let sit at least a day or up to a few weeks.  Works well in lemonade to sweeten as well as drinks!

Raspberry Lemonade with Fresh Basil

Nothing beats fresh lemonade in the summer!  Ok, I lied...fresh lemonade with raspberries and basil does!  I had a large bouquet of basil in a glass sitting on my counter...so I thought what would be a better way to use it than in a drink...lemonade!  And how about some raspberries thrown in as well, for a lovely red color...and an interesting flavor!  I love berries and basil together, so I thought it would be a perfect addition to my lemonade!  When I make lemonade, I like to use agave syrup instead of sugar, because it dissolves well, and is kinder on the blood sugar...I use less than most people, because I like my lemonade  very tart, but if you are making this you can choose to use a little or a lot depending on how sweet you like it.  This drink is refreshing...sweet, tart, herby, and fruity...not your Grandma's lemonade!  Try it out while raspberries and basil are abundant!

Raspberry Lemonade with Fresh Basil
Serves 1
3/4 cup lemon juice (about 2 large lemons)
1 cup cold water
1-3 Tbsp agave nectar
Ice cubes
about 6 fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup fresh raspberries

In a large glass, place the basil, raspberries and a few  of the ice cubes.  Use the end part of a wooden spoon to muddle, or crush the berries and basil up a bit.  Top off with a bit more ice.  In another glass, stir together the lemon juice, water and agave (1 Tbsp if you like it tart, 3 if you like it sweet).  Pour the lemon mixture over the ice in the other glass, and enjoy!