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State Fair Lemonade Delight Recipe

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4.1 from 13 reviews

State Fair Lemonade Delight is a refreshing and zesty homemade lemonade featuring freshly squeezed lemons and lemon-infused sugar, resulting in a bright, sweet, and tangy beverage perfect for warm days and gatherings. This recipe balances the tartness of lemons with the sweetness of granulated sugar, producing a classic, crowd-pleasing drink.

Ingredients

Lemons and Sugar Mix

  • 8 fresh lemons (scrubbed, rinsed, and dried; divide into 6 for zesting and juicing, and 2 for slicing)
  • 1 ⅓ cup granulated sugar

Water

  • 6 cups water (4 cups hot/steaming and 2 cups cold)

Serving

  • Ice cubes for serving

Instructions

  1. Roll the Lemons: Place the lemons on the counter and apply firm pressure to roll them back and forth. This action helps to loosen the internal membranes, making it easier to release more juice later.
  2. Zest and Infuse Sugar: Zest 6 of the lemons carefully, avoiding the bitter white pith. In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and the lemon zest. Stir and press the zest into the sugar to release lemon oils, then cover with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for 2 hours to infuse.
  3. Heat the Sugar Mixture: Remove the plastic wrap and transfer the lemon-scented sugar to a large heatproof bowl. Pour 4 cups of steaming hot water over it, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves. Cover again with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to cool and deepen flavor.
  4. Juice the Lemons: Slice the 6 zested lemons in half and juice them, yielding just over 1 cup of lemon juice. Set aside the juice for later use.
  5. Combine Juices and Sugar Water: Take the cooled lemon sugar water from the fridge and stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice to meld the flavors.
  6. Strain the Lemonade: Place a mesh strainer over a large bowl and carefully pour the lemonade mixture through it to remove pulp and zest. Discard the solids left in the strainer.
  7. Add Cold Water: Pour in 2 cups of cold water to the strained lemonade and stir gently to combine and chill it slightly.
  8. Prepare Lemons and Serve: Thinly slice the remaining 2 lemons. Add ice cubes and several lemon slices to a pitcher. Pour the lemonade over the ice and lemon slices, and serve immediately for a refreshing drink.

Notes

  • Rolling the lemons before juicing helps maximize the yield.
  • Allowing the sugar and zest to infuse for 2 hours deepens the lemon flavor significantly.
  • You can adjust sweetness by adding more or less sugar according to your taste preference.
  • Straining removes pulp and keeps the lemonade smooth and clear.
  • This lemonade is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Find it online: https://lauracooks.com/state-fair-lemonade-delight-recipe/