Saturday, June 13, 2009

"Zebra Lemon"-Ginger Lemonade--A "Simple Saturday Sipper"


I set a goal for myself last week to work through some of the many beverage recipes I have tagged and showcase one each week on Saturdays. This week's "Simple Saturday Sipper" is a clasic summer staple--lemonade, but made with a twist with some striped "Zebra Lemons" from the Big Island and a slight kick from a ginger simple syrup, made with fresh local ginger. 


Nicknamed "zebra lemons" or sometimes "striped lemons", these Variegated Eureka Lemons don't taste much differently than regular lemons but with their yellow and green stripes and sometimes slightly pinker flesh, they are fun to look at. If you can't find zebra lemons, any lemon will work nicely with the ginger to make a delicious and thirst-quenching lemonade.


"Zebra Lemon"-Ginger Lemonade
by Deb, Kahakai Kitchen
(Makes about 2 quarts)

2 cups sugar
2 cups water
2" piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced
2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 13-16 lemons)
Additional cold water and or ice to dilute lemonade mixture

Combine the sugar, water and ginger in a small pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low and simmer about 15 minutes, until mixture is slightly thickened. 

Meanwhile, squeeze the lemons into a pitcher, discarding the seeds and rind. Strain the ginger-infused sugar syrup into the lemon juice then top it off with 2-3 cups of cold water, or add water to taste. Chill and serve very cold and garnished with lemon slices.


Notes/Results: Tangy, delicious and refreshing, this is the perfect summer beverage! The ginger adds a warming kick of spices and is a great thirst quencher. I like a "pulpy" lemonade and I used my lemon reamer to extract all the juice and pulp from each lemon, straining out just the seeds, but if you aren't a fan of pulp, just make sure to strain it carefully. This is a classic, keeper recipe for sure, and a perfect Simple Saturday Sipper.

18 comments:

  1. I love your new idea. i don't think i've ever seen or heard of zebra lemons before. the drink sounds refreshing and perfect for a nice summer saturday. :)

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  2. Such gorgeous lemons. I have never seen them before either.

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  3. I have never seen zebra lemons. From the inside they look kind of like grapefruits. What a delicious drink, citrus is such a great summer flavor.

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  4. those lemons almost remind me of pink grapefruit! must have been a great lemonade :)

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  5. Awesome lemons! I hadn't heard of them before. I love the ginger addition...I would love a cold glass of this. (and super cool glass/tumbler...love it!)

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  6. I love seeing all your local food on your blog - striped lemons, who knew?

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  7. You get some wild looking fruit in your neck of the woods!
    Looks great, and so refreshing. I have a pitcher like that.

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  8. What a cool looking lemon! I've never seen anything like that -

    Next time I make lemonade I will add ginger to it, I never thought to do it, and it sounds so refreshing.

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  9. That looks so refreshing! I have yet to see zebra lemons - hopefully they'll be available here in the not too distant future. The color is wonderful as is your recipe.

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  10. Those lemons are so gorgeous. I'll bet your ginger simple syrup puts this lemonade over the top. It's beautiful and, I'm sure, delicious.

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  11. I love the zebra lemons, at first I thought you had peeled some limes! The drink sounds great!

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  12. I've been bookmarking some intresting drinks too lately. This makes me want to try some of them.

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  13. These lemons are so cute!! Love the ginger here, what a nice flavor for lemonade!

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  14. Wow what is up with those lemons. It's like a cross between lemons and grapefruit.

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  15. The zebra lemons are so unusual and pretty! Ginger syrup sounds really yummy for summer drinks. I just need to find some of those cute drink umbrellas.

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  16. Refreshing...very refreshing. We love a good drink.

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  17. I love those lemons!! Thanks for sharing this recipe. Those lemons are really pretty.

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