Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate – canned and ready to be mixed for a nice refreshing summer time drink!

Nothing signifies spring time better than the taste of fresh picked strawberries. Strawberry recipes are popping up everywhere – jams, jellies, pies, cakes and all sorts of desserts. Instead of letting those extra strawberries go to waste, how about making your own strawberry drink recipes.

As summer approaches, there are a lot of events to host and attend. Memorial Day, graduation parties, end of the season sports banquets, Independence Day, and of course those ‘out of this world’ family reunions. What a great way to use fresh ingredients in everything, including your drinks. So prepare early and it will not only save you time, but you’ll have the satisfaction that you made something from fresh ingredients.

Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate Recipe

Ingredients

One lemon yields about 4 tablespoons of juice – roll lemon or place in microwave for 15 seconds before juicing to get all the juice out of the lemon.

6 cups strawberries, cleaned and hulled
4 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
6 cups sugar (or 4 cups agave nectar)

Instructions:

1. If you are canning this recipe – begin to prepare your jars, lids and water for the hot water bath process. If not, proceed to step 2.

2. In a food processor or blender puree strawberries. You might have to do it in batches to make sure that all the strawberries have been pureed.

Heat liquid to 190 degrees Fahrenheit making sure the mixture does not boil.

3. Transfer strawberry puree to a stainless steel saucepan over medium heat. Add lemon juice and sugar while stirring to combine.

4. DO NOT boil the liquid – Using a thermometer, heat to 190 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring occasionally. Because this recipe has sugar, it will get to the desired temperature rather quickly, so keep your eye on the thermometer. If you use agave, the heat will rise even quicker.

5. Once the temperature reaches 190 degrees F, remove the pan from the heat source.

If Canning: ladle mixture into jars leaving 1/4 inch head space. Wipe rim, add hot lids and tighten rings just finger tight. Process in a water bath canner at a boil for 15 minutes. Makes 6-8 pint jars or 3 quart jars

If Freezing: let mixture cool. Stir and add mixture in 1/2-1 cup increments to a freezer safe container.

TO DRINK:

Mix one part concentrate with one part water, lemon-lime soda, or ginger ale. Adjust concentrate to suit your taste.

Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate

Ingredients

6 cups strawberries, cleaned and hulled
4 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
6 cups sugar, or 4 cups agave nectar

Instructions

If you are canning this recipe - begin to prepare your jars, lids and water for the hot water bath process. If not, proceed to step 2.
In a food processor or blender puree strawberries. You might have to do it in batches to make sure that all the strawberries have been pureed.
Transfer strawberry puree to a stainless steel saucepan over medium heat. Add lemon juice and sugar while stirring to combine.
DO NOT boil the liquid - Using a thermometer, heat to 190 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring occasionally. Because this recipe has sugar, it will get to the desired temperature rather quickly, so keep your eye on the thermometer. If you use agave, the heat will rise even quicker.
Once the temperature reaches 190 degrees F, remove the pan from the heat source

If Canning

Ladle mixture into jars leaving 1/4 inch head space. Wipe rim, add hot lids and tighten rings just finger tight. Process in a water bath canner at a boil for 15 minutes. Makes 6-8 pint jars or 3 quart jars

If Freezing

Let mixture cool. Stir and add mixture in 1/2-1 cup increments to a freezer safe container.

TO DRINK

Mix one part concentrate with one part water, lemon-lime soda, or ginger ale. Adjust concentrate to suit your taste.

Notes

Recipe courtesy of Old World Garden Farms

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Strawberry Daiquiri Mix Recipe

And of course, when you put the words strawberry and drink together, most people think of a Strawberry Daiquiri. It makes me think of being somewhere nice, warm and tropical. For now, Ohio will do! There is nothing better than knowing you made your own Daiquiri and didn’t use a bottled mix or a bagged drink where you have to squeeze your beverage into a glass. From start to finish, this recipe took 5 minutes – and next time it will even be shorter since the mix is already prepared!

Strawberry Daiquiri Mix

2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

To Make the Daiquiri you will need:
1 1/2 cups of ice
2 fresh strawberries
3 tablespoons rum (white or brown)

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan combine the water and the sugar over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves.

2. Combine sugar syrup, lime juice, and strawberries in a blender and puree until smooth.

**You can store this mixture in the refrigerator for several days or use immediately.

3. Combine ice, strawberries, rum, and 1/4 cup of the daiquiri mix into a blender. Blend until smooth.

Pour into a glass – add a straw and garnish with a strawberry

**If you like your daiquiri a little thicker just add more ice.

Enjoy!

Mary and Jim

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