Lemonade with Orange Blossom Water

I am so happy to see the sunshine.  It’s making me want to cook, sit outside, and dine with friends again.  I don’t know about you but I tend to hibernate from January to March, and my alter ego Elizabeth takes over.  Yes, I named her.  She’s the “ugh” side of me.  The sluggish, wanna-stay-on-the-couch-and-not-answer-the-phone side.  I blame her for all my negative attributes, down to my inability to spell.  Sssh..

So I decide to sit outside, write about some recipes I’ve been meaning to post but haven’t because I’ve been busy not answering the phone and such…  Dug out some old shorts and headed outside with the dogs. Although the glaring reflection of my pale legs is a little disconcerting (well, very disconcerting) I fight the urge to go in and change my clothes.   “Who cares?” One thought says to the other.  “No one can see you.” Considering the dark conversation I was about to have with myself I stifled the response to concentrate on the more productive task at hand.

In an effort to enhance the joy of the moment I made a batch of lemonade with orange blossom water.  My mom use to make this for us when we were young and I hated that she put orange blossom water in it.   For the life of me I couldn’t understand why she couldn’t just make things the way everyone else did.  My friend’s mothers didn’t put that stuff in their lemonade.   Of course, it’s my favorite way to make it now.   The orange blossom adds just enough floral note to balance the tang of the lemon.  Taste like summers gone by.

This wasn’t on my list of recipes to share today, but is seems to have taken over my thoughts as I sip and relish the sun with my dog-children frolicking near by.  I hope you try it and tell me what you think.

This ain’t bad with a little vodka if you are so inclined. Add a little muddled fresh mint and you won’t be mad at me.

On to the next recipe!!  Sahtain!!

Lemonade with orange blossom water

1 Cup Lemon Juice

4 to 5 cups water

Stevia to taste for the sugarless version or

1 Cup sugar

1 Cup water(for the simple syrup)

1 teaspoon orange blossom water

I try not to consume sugar if I can help it.  So my version is the sugarless version. I love liquid stevia.  NuNatural liquid stevia is my favorite.  It has no after taste and if I don\’t tell my kids it\’s not sugar they never know.    Add the lemon juice and water together. I like mine tart so I may not add that fifth cup of water depending on the tartness of the lemons at hand.  It\’s up to you.   Stir in the stevia to taste, add the orange blossom water and you\’re done.

If you prefer sugar.  Make a simple syrup by heating the sugar and water together in a sauce pan.  Make sure the sugar dissolves completely.  Let the syrup cool or refrigerate before mixing with the lemon juice, water and orange blossom mixture.  Adjust by adding the simple syrup gradually to taste.  If you need more tang add more straight lemon juice.

Serve with ice, lemon or lime slices or a twig of fresh mint.