Selecting The Pickles: Choose high-quality dill pickles with a strong flavor. You can opt for classic dill pickles or experiment with spicy or garlic-infused variations.
Slicing The Pickles: Thinly slice the dill pickles to enhance their infusion into the lemonade. Aim for slices that are approximately 1/8 inch thick.
Infusion Process: Place the pickle slices in a bowl and pour hot water over them. Allow the pickles to steep for about 20 minutes. This process extracts the unique dill and briny flavors.
Creating The Lemonade Base
Fresh Lemon Juice: Squeeze the lemons to extract their juice. You’ll need around 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Strain the juice to remove any seeds or pulp.
Sweetening The Base: Combine granulated sugar with 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Heat the mixture over low heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Let it cool.
Lemonade Concentrate: In a pitcher, combine the fresh lemon juice, sugar mixture, and remaining 3 cups of water. This creates a tangy lemonade base.
Mixing It Up: Combining Pickle And Lemonade
The Bold Blend: Gradually add the pickle infusion to the lemonade base, stirring gently to combine. Start with a small amount and taste as you go to achieve your desired level of pickle flavor.
Finding The Balance: The pickle infusion adds a distinctive twist to the lemonade, providing a savory and slightly briny note that balances the sweetness of the lemonade.