Since I am kicking this blog off on Memorial Day, I wanted to start with something light and refreshing that won’t weight you down while you prepare your bar-B-que, mow the lawn or relax by the pool.
Raspberry Lemonade
2 T whole raspberries
3 T frozen concentrated lemonade thawed
Crushed ice
1 c seltzer or club soda
(Note: if you choose frozen raspberries like I did for this recipe, let them sit out to thaw for about 10 minutes before crushing.)
Fill a pint glass about half full with crushed ice. Muddle or mash your raspberries with a muddler or wooden spoon, then press the pulp through a fine sieve into your glass. Add to your pint glass three table spoons of thawed concentrated lemonade.
Top the glass with seltzer water, leaving a half inch at the top. Give it a quick stir or two with a spoon. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
This recipe can be scaled up and made in a pitcher if you plan to treat a group. For a 2 Quart pitcher use: ½ cup of raspberries, ¾ cup lemonade concentrate, 1 liter bottle of Seltzer. Instead of muddling, give your berries a quick turn in the food processor or hand blend in a bowl and then push through a sieve to get the seeds out.
If you would like a sweeter drink, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of seedless raspberry jam for the muddled berries. It also makes a good time saver.