The past week has been hot here in western NC. It’s felt more like late July than early June. When it comes to things to drink I’m pretty boring, hardly ever straying from my sweet tea, water, coffee, or milk. But hot summer days always take me back to bare feet, slamming screen doors, and Granny’s Lemonade.
She didn’t make it often but when she did it made the day seem extra special and a little cooler too. A few summers ago I called her and asked for the recipe. She said “Lord I don’t have a recipe. Just bring some sugar and water to a boil; cut some lemons and put them in your pitcher; pour the sugar water over them; fill the pitcher the rest of the way with water; and let it sit a while.”
Tipper
Appalachia Through My Eyes – A series of photographs from my life in Southern Appalachia.
Granny’s lemonade reminds me of church meetings that went on most of the day on certain Sundays. My cousins and I would “founder” ourselves, sometimes actually get sick, on sweets and lemonade that looked just like Granny’s, with the thick-sliced lemons
Ahhh, took me back to my childhood of creaky screen doors while it slammed behind us. Mom would shout out, “don’t let it slam”, with 4 kids she was probably tired of that sound. Yummy lemonade, sandwiches and the picnic table out back with Mom. I’ve not made homemade lemonade in forever. Thanks for the reminder and memories.
My mouth is watering …
Tipper, I like lemonade but for some reason, unknown to me at the moment, I never make it. I’m more boring than you when it comes to beverages. I drink water and jasmine tea with honey.
That’s about it.
But the idea of home made lemonade on a hot day sounds wonderful.
you know sometimes I wonder if they had recipes for anything. I bet the lemonade was good.
Thanks for sharing Tipper. Lemonade made from scratch like that just can’t be beat. Reminds me of my Aunt Nellie’s recipe. She made the best lemonade. Whenever we would visit in the summertime a cold glass of lemonade sure tasted good. Have a great day! Thanks again for the sweet memories! Prayerfully, Nancy
hiya tipper.. i love lemonade, and will have to get some lemons and make myself some soon 🙂
your granny was a smart cookie .. and im so glad you have so many memories and things to share.. you really brighten my days .. sending big ladybug hugs
lynn
I feel cooler already!
There is a fresh pitcher of sweet tea/iced tea in the fridge, just like when I was a kid. If you slice a lemon in half and microwave it for a minute or two you will get more juice and flavor from it.
Hey Tipper,
That’s for sure the way my mountain Granny made her lemonade as well as my Mom….except Mom squeesed a little of the juice out of part of the lemons before adding the boiling sugar syrup…
After it sits awhile, a full glass of ice, lemonade and a mint sprig…and you’re good to go or sit and rock…ha
Have to admit that I love my ice tea made about the same way..hot steeped tea, pour over the sugar, stir to a syrup, add water to make the gallon…yummmm!
Broke a record here today..96 degrees…ouch..poor cucumbers!
I love making fruity cold drinks on hot summer days. I made blackberry tea today & plan to add fresh mint the next time I make it. Lemonade is high on our list of favorites & I keep fresh lemons to add slices to our southern sweet tea. Delicious!
Thanks for the “recipe”; I’ll have to try this.
Tipper,
That ‘slamming screen doors’ part
I can relate to. Love Granny’s way
of throwing things together to make something taste good. There is just no replacement for experience. Who needs a receipe!!
If you don’t get enough sugar in
the lemonade, just boil a little
more sugar-water, and if that’s too sweet, add more ice cubes…
Ken
Love lemonade and make it from scratch just about the same way!
Wish I had a glass now! We’re already having temps of 100 and over. No telling what July and Aug. will be like. Will try Granny’s recipe. Sounds simple enough and good.
The best things to eat, or in this case drink, never have a recipe!
That sounds so good! I’m pretty much stuck with water, coffee and sweet tea too.
Granny sounds like my kind of cook : )
Mmmmm, homemade lemonade is one of my favorites. I’ve never boiled the water before. I just squeezed the juice from the lemon and added sugar and water. I’ll have to try the boiling water method and see if it’s better.
Love me some lemonade!
The simplicity of a cold glass of lemonade on a hot, summer day; it just doesn’t get any better!
this is the prettiest lemonade i ever saw. and have never heard of this way of making lemonade. we always just squeezed the lemons in the water. i bet this is delicious. now if i just had some lemons.
mmmmm I can hear the cicades and the screen door slammin’ and I can taste that refreshingly cool lemonade. Delightful!
MMm! Love lemonade. I started to buy a bag of lemons the other day to make some. Now I”ll have to do that.
Patty H.