Homemade Lemonade

Homemade lemonade is a real treat and so fresh and delicious compared to bought cordial. It's really simple to make and isn't too costly!
Scott made a delicious batch recently so we've been enjoying the benefits while the weathers been good (even though it looks likes its changed now!!)

Heres what Scott did:

Ingredients:

500ml lemon juice

The zest of 3 lemons grated finely

2kg castor sugar

1 litre water

2 tbsp citric acid

Method:

Dissolve the sugar with the litre of water and the lemon juice. Simmer gently for for a few minutes. Add the lemon zest and the citric acid. The citric acid makes the lemon flavour 'pop' and I think it also helps preserve the cordial for longer, though i'm not 100% sure about that. If you haven't got any its not  too dramatic to leave it out! It still tastes amazing :)

Simmer for another minute or so, then strain the mixture through a sieve or a piece of muslin is you have some.

Place in a sterilised bottle and once opened, keep in the fridge! 

The drink is best served 2/3 cordial:water.

We tired another version with some mint from the garden as we have too much growing, but it didn't work out as well as the pure lemon!

I had mine served with ice and a slice of lemon, and a good read of Katy Perry's interview in Elle magazine this month :)

Elderflower and blackcurrent Pimms

I've recently tried the new Pimm's flavour 'blackberry and elderflower'. I must say, I really wasn't impressed. I'm not the biggest alcohol drinker out there, but I do like a Pimms in the summer! This Pimm's however was very artificial tasting, and didn't remotely taste like the fruit on the label! The colour is magnificent though, a rich purply pink thats look even better when diluted with a little lemonade. We had ours served with fresh lemon slices and strawberries, and a lot of ice too!

The best part of the evening was the yummy scones from The 'Sugarplum Tearoom'. We had some samples to try (oh it's wonderful living next to a tearoom) so we had them with blackcurrrent jam, salted welsh butter and clotted cream. AMAZING!

I love how fresh and pretty the fruit and ice look in the jug.

My grandparents joined us outside to try the scones. It's always more entertaining when my Grandad's at the table. They both enjoyed the scones and they are a tough crowd to please!