Mint and Rosemary Lemonade with Vanilla
A refreshing homemade lemonade infused with mint, rosemary, and a hint of vanilla, perfect for hot summer days.
Ingredients
Lemonade Base
- 5-7 lemons Fresh lemons (enough for about 1 cup of juice, usually 5 to 7 lemons depending on size) Freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
- 1 cup Fresh lemon juice From the fresh lemons.
- 1/2 cup Sugar or honey Adjust to taste.
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla extract Start with this amount and adjust as desired.
- 4 cups Cold water Add more to taste if needed.
- to taste Ice For serving.
- to taste Sparkling water Optional for topping off.
Herb Syrup
- 1/2 cup Water For making the herb syrup.
- 1-3 sprigs Fresh rosemary Adjust based on taste; do not boil.
- a good handful Fresh mint Plus extra for serving.
Instructions
Making Herb Syrup
- Combine 1/2 cup sugar (or honey) with 1/2 cup water in a small pot over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then turn off the heat.
- Add the mint and rosemary sprigs to the hot syrup. Cover and let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Taste at 10 minutes and remove the rosemary when the flavor is strong enough.
- Strain the syrup into a pitcher and let it cool for a few minutes.
Assembling the Lemonade
- Pour in 1 cup of fresh lemon juice and add the vanilla to the cooled syrup. Stir and taste, adjusting the vanilla as necessary.
- Add approximately 4 cups of cold water to the pitcher. Stir and taste, adjusting with more water or sweetener if needed.
- Serve over ice, garnished with a mint sprig or lemon slice. Optionally, add a splash of sparkling water for bubbles.
Notes
Tips include not boiling the herbs, using fresh lemon juice for best flavor, and chilling before tasting. You can adjust sweetness and tartness to your preference.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 21gSodium: 5mgSugar: 20g