Lemonade is a common beverage around the globe and yes we Turks love to make and drink lemonade too. You can find it at almost any restaurant in Turkey because there is always demand for that beverage at Turkish restaurants. For me; it is the best beverage for the hot Turkish summers because it keeps you hydrated and fresh due to the ingredients it has in it.
I think; lemonade is the only beverage which has carrying the optimum level of citrus and sweetness in it. Yes, it has lots of sugar in but on the other hand, it is also loaded with vitamin C. If you see someone who drinks lemonade, you see that it makes the person happy right away. So besides the taste, lemonade has a mood-riser effect too.
The Story of Lemonade
Mediterranean shores and Aegean shores are the natural Lemon manufacturing zones of Turkey. You can find lemon trees on the streets or in the backyards of houses. Lemon trees like warm weather, so the temperature must be higher than 0 degrees in the wintertime. So Turkey’s south and western regions have the best weather conditions to grow Lemon trees. Lemon trees are evergreen trees that they can grow up to 3-4 meters. I took the below photo in Antalya city of Turkey to show how common Lemon trees are in the Mediterranean region of Turkey.
Bodrum Lime Trees
I also want to mention special Mandalin trees which are growing in Bodrum city of Turkey. Bodrum city has a unique type of Lime Mandalin called Bodrum Mandalin. The harvesting period starts in September month when their colors turn to shiny green and then wholesalers buy them from the producers and sell them to ice cream and chocolate producers around the globe. It has such a strong citrus taste and it is so nice to make lemonade with Bodrum Manadalin. If you visit Bodrum city for vacation, definitely try your Lemonade with Bodrum Manadlin.
Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups lemon juice
- 1 3/4 cups granulated white table sugar
- 8 cups water
- 6 fresh mint leaves
Instructions
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Combine sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Boil the mixture and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Then remove from heat and allow to cool at room temperature.
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Remove seeds and juice the lemons with leaving the pulps. In pitcher, stir together with mint leaves, chilled syrup, lemon juice and remaining 7 cups water.
Recipe Notes
Tip: Serve with crushed ice.
