Homemade dandelion lemonade sounds like a refreshing twist! Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of fresh dandelion petals (make sure they’re thoroughly washed and free from pesticides)
- 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
- 1 cup of granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 6 cups of water (divided)
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices and fresh dandelion flowers for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the dandelion petals: Pluck the petals from the dandelion flowers, discarding the green parts (stems, sepals). Wash them thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Make dandelion tea: In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a gentle boil. Add the dandelion petals to the boiling water and let them simmer for about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the petals steep in the water for another 10-15 minutes. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the petals. Allow the dandelion tea to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare the lemonade base: In a large pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice and granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Mix it up: Add the cooled dandelion tea to the pitcher with the lemon-sugar mixture. Stir well to combine.
- Add water and chill: Pour in the remaining 4 cups of water and stir again. Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or lemon juice if needed. Refrigerate the lemonade for at least an hour to chill it thoroughly.
- Serve: Once chilled, pour the dandelion lemonade into glasses filled with ice cubes. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh dandelion flowers if desired.
- Enjoy! Sip and savor your homemade dandelion lemonade on a sunny day.
This recipe offers a delightful balance of tangy lemon flavor with the subtle floral notes from the dandelion petals. Feel free to adjust the sweetness and tartness according to your taste preferences.
