While chatting with my mother last week I got some good news.
“You did it.”
Uh oh… just what DID I do?
“That lemonade recipe you sent tastes just like my Babcia’s,” she said. Mom’s casual statement closed the book on a 27-year odyssey. We now have the right ratios in place to duplicate her Polish grandmother’s lemonade.
How hard could this be?… one may wonder. For nearly three decades, my mother, sister and I have been experimenting with lemons, water, sugar, and yes, EVEN powdered drink mixes to replicate the tasty beverage. The results have been either too tart, too sugary-sweet, or just plain yucky.
Just in time for your 4th of July…
Babcia’s Lemonade
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup boiling water
2 cups fresh lemon juice (do not substitute)
8 cups cold water
mint sprigs and lemon slices for garnish
- In large container, place sugar. Add boiling water. Stir to dissolve sugar.
- Add lemon juice and cold water. Stir until mixed.
- Chill several hours. Garnish with mint and lemon slices.
Mix up a pitcher, close your eyes, and pretend you are sitting on Jay Gatsby’s veranda.