lavender lemonade

Inspired by a road trip to Texas...

On my way to visit my friend, Keri, I stopped at the Magnolia Market and the Silos Baking Co in Waco, Texas. Soaking in the warmth of the sunshine, I decided to order a lavender lemonade from the Magnolia Table food truck and enjoy the afternoon. It was so so good! { of course, I had to try a lemon lavender cupcake, too!  }

1 tablespoon        dried lavender
1 cup        sugar
2 cups        boiling water
1 1/2 cups        lemon juice
2 cups        water

In a measuring bowl, add the dried lavender. Pour the granulated sugar over the lavender. Gently press the lavender into the sugar. Pour two cups of boiling water over the lavender sugar. Stir until the sugar has melted. Cover the bowl and let it infuse for 30 minutes. Strain the lavender from the syrup. Stir in the lemon juice. And, add two cups of water. Serve with a desired amount of ice.

raspberry lemon sorbet

raspberry = summer

Such a refreshing treat for the summer! This raspberry sorbet is so delicious! 

3 cups      frozen raspberries
1 cup      honey
1.5 cups      water
1.5 tablespoons      lemon juice

Blend the frozen raspberries, honey, water, and lemon juice together until it is creamy. Pour the mixture into a freezer container. Freeze the sorbet until serving. Makes 4 servings of raspberry sorbet. { I make two containers of sorbet to keep in the freezer. }

Enjoy this sweet summer sorbet! 

raspberry lemon bars

{ raspberry + lemon }

This is a delicious summer treat... raspberry lemon bars! They are full of sunshine!

 

crust...

2 cups      butter

1/2 cup      sugar
2 teaspoons      vanilla
2 teaspoons      lemon zest

2 cups      flour
1/4 teaspoon      salt 
 

filling...

12 ounces      raspberries

1 cup      sugar

4 - 6      lemons ( juiced + zested )

4      eggs

2/3 cup      flour

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment paper.

Cream together the butter and sugar. Add in the vanilla and lemon zest. Stir in the flour and salt. Press the dough in the bottom of the pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Blend the raspberries and pour into a bowl. Add in sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, eggs, and flour. Stir the ingredients well. Pour the mixture evenly over the baked crust. Bake for an additional 30 minutes.

Let the raspberry lemon bars cool and place in the refrigerator. Lightly dust with powdered sugar over the top of the bars. Lift the parchment paper from the pan. Cut the raspberry lemon bars into squares or triangles and arrange on a beautiful dish to serve.

 

 

vodka lemonade

[  vodka + lemon  ]

There is something about lemon. It is my favorite...especially during the summertime! It is not often I drink. But, I do love an iced cold Corona with a lime or a vodka lemonade during the summer! They remind me of sweet summer. And, I cherish it!

 

Enjoy this sweet recipe for a vodka lemonade to sip slowly this summer...

2 ounces      vodka  (  I use Svedka  )

6 ounces      lemonade (  1 cup lemon juice + 6 1/2 cups water + 1 cup sugar = 2 quarts  )

ice

lemon slices for garnish

 

Add vodka and lemonade to your favorite glass. [ my favorite glass is a purple Mason jar ] Stir together. Add ice and lemon slices for garnish. Soak in the sunshine!

 

Here is another for a vodka lemonade slushy! This is perfect for summer!

 

2 ounces      vodka

2 ounces      lemon juice

1 + 3/4 ounces     simple syrup ( reduce 1 cup sugar + 1 cup water over medium heat )

2 cups      ice

4      strawberries ( sliced )

 

Combine the vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice into a blender. Blend for 18 - 20 seconds. Pour into a glass and garnish with a strawberry and a lemon slice. Find your favorite spot outdoors and relax!

 

Enjoy the warmth and sunshine this summer!