Ingredients

Equipment Needed

• •Large pitcher (2-quart minimum)
• •Wooden muddler or sturdy spoon
• •Fine-mesh strainer
• •Citrus juicer or reamer
• •Small saucepan

Instructions

1. 1

   Make the simple syrup

   Combine sugar and one cup of water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely, about three minutes. You should not see any grains when you drag a spoon across the bottom. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. This syrup distributes sweetness evenly through cold liquid in a way granulated sugar never will.

   Simple syrup keeps refrigerated for two weeks. Make a double batch and you are always ready for lemonade, cocktails, or sweet tea.
2. 2

   Muddle the strawberries

   Place quartered strawberries in a large pitcher or bowl. Using a wooden spoon or muddler, press and twist the berries until they release their juice and break down into rough pieces. You want a chunky puree with visible berry bits, not a smooth paste. The color should be deep ruby red and the aroma should hit you immediately. This is where the magic lives.

   If your berries are not fragrant at room temperature, they will not have much flavor in the lemonade. Seek out local berries or wait until they are in season.
3. 3

   Squeeze fresh lemons

   Roll each lemon firmly against the counter before cutting. This breaks down the membranes inside and yields more juice. Cut in half and squeeze through a fine-mesh strainer to catch seeds and pulp. You need one and a half cups of juice. Taste it. Good lemon juice should make your mouth pucker but also have a floral quality underneath the sour.

4. 4

   Combine and balance

   Add the lemon juice to the muddled strawberries. Pour in the cooled simple syrup and five cups of cold water. Stir everything together thoroughly. Now here is the important part: taste it. The balance between sweet, sour, and fruity depends on your berries and your lemons. Add more syrup if it puckers too hard. Add more lemon if it tastes flat. Trust your palate.

   The lemonade will taste slightly stronger before you add ice. The melting ice will dilute it, so aim for a flavor that is just a touch more intense than you want in the final glass.
5. 5

   Chill and steep

   Refrigerate the lemonade for at least one hour before serving. This resting time allows the strawberry flavor to permeate the liquid fully. The color will deepen to a beautiful sunset red. Give it a good stir before serving since the berry pieces will settle.

6. 6

   Serve generously

   Fill mason jars or tall glasses with ice. Pour the lemonade over the ice, making sure each glass gets some strawberry pieces. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a lemon wheel if you have them. Serve immediately. This is porch-sitting, story-telling, afternoon-wasting lemonade. Do not rush it.

Chef Tips

• •Ponchatoula strawberries are worth seeking out if you can find them at farmers markets in late spring. If not, any ripe, fragrant local strawberry will do. Avoid those pale, oversized grocery store berries that smell like nothing.
• •For a crowd, double or triple the recipe and serve from a large glass dispenser with a spigot. At Lagniappe, we put out pitchers with a ladle so folks can help themselves.
• •Add a splash of bourbon or vodka to individual glasses for an adult version. About an ounce and a half per serving does nicely without overpowering the fruit.
• •Freeze some of the lemonade in ice cube trays. Use these cubes instead of regular ice and your drink will not get watery as it sits.
• •If you prefer a smoother lemonade without the berry pieces, strain through a fine-mesh sieve before chilling. You lose some rustic charm but gain a more refined drink.

Advance Preparation

• •Simple syrup can be made up to two weeks ahead and refrigerated in a sealed container.
• •The complete lemonade keeps refrigerated for up to three days, though it is best within the first day when the strawberry flavor is brightest.
• •For parties, muddle the strawberries and make the syrup the night before. Squeeze lemons and combine everything the morning of your gathering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nutrition Information

1 serving (about 250g)