This week marks the start of Race for the Cure in Arkansas and several other states across the country. Training for the big race has been going on for months, fundraising for cancer research is in full swing and ladies and gents from all over the state are making plans for their trip to the capitol city. Saturday morning downtown Little Rock will be flooded with a sea of pink and thousands of individuals; some fighting, some remembering, and others supporting. All with one goal in mind, to find a cure for the horrid disease we call cancer.
Odds are every single person has been touched by cancer. Whether you’ve battled it, lost a love one or are supporting someone in their battle right now, cancer has touched practically everyone everywhere. I lost my sweet MaMaw to the stuff and I get sick to my stomach every time I think about it. She was an amazing lady that touched so many and there’s no telling what other lives she would have touched had she not been stricken. I am sure there are stories like hers being told everyday.
Since we are embarking are breast cancer awareness month and Race for the Cure, I decided to paint my blog pink this week. I have several recipes donning the color pink for the memory of my MaMaw, the countless others who lost their battles and the thousands fighting their battle right now.
My MaMaw was a huge fan of lemonade and she was into bold, bright and cheery colors. So I decided to kick start the week with a drink that I can just picture her holding in her hands and sipping on while she’s sitting on her front porch taking in God’s creation. A bright, deep pink strawberry lemonade.
This is a strawberry lemonade that is bursting with flavor. It’s full of fresh squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest, bringing that intense tartness to the drink. A strawberry puree; a combination of strawberries, sugar and water, is added to the lemonade base. It’s then finished with a strawberry simple syrup; which adds a little more sweetness to balance the tart while also adding another level of strawberry flavor.
This is strawberry lemonade at it’s finest. Everything you want in a delicious, refreshing drink in every sip. Tucker’s eyes lit up when he saw the pink stuff and his taste buds lit up at the first sip. My little guy has a special place in his heart for lemonade; but he truly loves the tart stuff that makes you pucker just a tad and this is right up his alley.
While this drink is perfect for the kiddos to sip on, it can also be made for the adults too. Coat the rim of the glass with a little raw sugar, add a splash of rum or vodka, add the lemonade and you could even add a little soda water to give a little fizz.
So whip up a batch of the pink drink. Sip on it. Enjoy it. Remember those you may have lost, reflect on the good times. Support the one’s who are fighting…and together we will find a cure.
#letsfindacure #ihatecancer
The Best Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients:
For the strawberry simple syrup-
1/2 Cup whole strawberries
Rind of one lemon
1 Cup water
1/2 Cup sugar
For the strawberry puree-
3/4 Cup strawberries
1/2 Cup water
2 Tsp sugar
For the lemonade base-
1/2 Cup sugar
Zest of one lemon
1 Cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 Cup water
Directions:
In a saucepan combine strawberries, water and sugar and place over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and add lemon rind and allow to set while making the puree and lemonade.
For the puree-
Combine strawberries, water and sugar in a blender and turn on high until pureed and smooth. Set aside.
For the lemonade base-
Combine sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and water and stir to combined and until sugar has dissolved. Add the puree and stir to combine.
Remove strawberries and lemon rind from the simple syrup and discard. Pour the simple syrup in the lemonade mixture and stir to combine. Taste, add more water if too tart. Place in refrigerator to chill.
To serve, pour over ice. For an adult version add vodka, rum or tequila.
Recipe source: A Lynsey Original
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