It's lemonade season. Give yourself a break from your regular lemonade recipes and make jalapeno lemonade. It's mildly spiced with a hint of jalapeno flavors. Perfect enough to spice up and hydrate your day.
The aroma of jalapeno is not overpowering and well balanced with the refreshing lemon's natural flavor. You could still feel the taste of both these ingredients delightfully.
About this recipe
Making this jalapeno lemonade for a lemonade stand or a party, there is something to surprise everybody. Stir them up, pour them in glasses, and enjoy the weather by keeping you chilled.
Learn how to roast jalapeno, to stock the fresh jalapeno for a long time. And you may also use this simple syrup as the base for other drinks like this nonalcoholic drink recipe.
Ingredients
Generally, a lemonade does not need a recipe. All you want to know about the quantity of lemon juice and sugar. If you are good enough at taste testing, you may make it by guesswork.
But this jalapeno lemonade is a little different from any other recipe. A proper recipe will land you on a pleasing drink that you can expect.
Jalapeno simple syrup. This is a homemade syrup; it just needs a few minutes of your time. Half of the work is done if you have fresh, frozen, or roasted jalapeno. Just toss in the sugar syrup and cook for 10 minutes. Yes, that's it. This jalapeno syrup is easy and discusses all possible variations; it's worth checking.
Lemon. Fresh lemon is preferable; no industrial products match the natural flavors and extraordinary scent. I prefer staying with fresh lemons, which are a good vitamin C source.
I always have a stockpile of lemon in my refrigerator; it comes in handy to flavor up anything you name. So, getting them fresh is my first choice. But if you have other options that you regularly use, feel free to use them.
Water/sparkling water. Both are equally good. Opt for unsweetened sparkling water, as the jalapeno syrup is the source of the sweet in here. Stir in just before serving to retain the fizz.
Instructions
Make the syrup. In a pan, add water, jalapeno slices, and sugar. Bring it to a rolling boil over medium heat. Turn the heat to low, and cook further for 10 minutes. Stain the jalapeno slices and allow the syrup to turn to room temperature. For detailed steps and more uses, check out this exclusive jalapeno syrup.
Mix and combine. Combine jalapeno syrup, lemon juice, water, and ice cubes in a large pitcher. Stir until the syrup dilutes with water and does not stay at the bottom.
Transfer. Serve in tall glasses; fill half of the glass with ice cubes. Pour the jalapeno lemonade over the ice cubes.
Garnish. With lemon wedges, or jalapeno candies, and jalapeno slices.
Stir gently until all the ingredients are infused with each other.
And sit back, relax, and enjoy!!
Tips and ideas for serving
Each of us has a different spice level tolerance, plan, and serve accordingly.
Taste test. Making ¾ of the required quantity is wise if you are highly sensitive to heat. Test the taste, and adjust and increase the amount as needed.
The glasses. Select long drinks, that has got room for garnishing with lemon slices.
Ice cubes. Combine ice cubes just before consuming, as they might dilute, and you will make jalapeno water.
Midday. Midday is the ideal time for enjoying. However, you may infuse your drink for the evening.
Side salad. Serve along with cucumber, watermelon, muskmelon, or honeydew. This combo works well, which makes you keep drinking more.
How to store the leftovers?
Refrigerate. Stays good for 2 days.
Kitchen counter. It tastes good for up to 8 hours when kept on the kitchen counter.
Freeze. Freeze and surprise the family with a jalapeno slushie.
When planning for a large quantity. Store the jalapeno syrup, and all the ingredients separately in the refrigerator. And combine along when needed.
Variations
Mint. The Majority of the vote is for mint leaves for the lemonade. Stir in a few mint leaves, and feel the breeze around you.
Watermelon. Use watermelon as garnishing; it also gives a vibrant look and is excellent for serving at large gatherings.
Basil. Another herb seconds the above. Make sure to add a little quantity, as it may take over the jalapeno's fragrance.
Cucumber. Add long, thinly sliced cucumbers for garnishing to look more appealing.
Strawberry. Cut 3-4 strawberries into halves. And toss them to the pitcher. This strawberry jalapeno lemonade is a keeper recipe.
Berry. Summer berries like raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry are also delectable alternatives to consider.
Other jalapeno recipes you may like,
- Jalapeno aioli
- Cilantro jalapeno hummus
- Jalapeno mustard
- Jalapeno vinaigrette
- Homemade jalapeno salsa
- Jalapeno recipes
FAQ
Though many flavors of simple syrups are available in the market, I did not have a chance to see them in the stores. Fortunately, making them at home is super easy, like making your tea. So, consider this DIY and save your pockets.
If you are considering getting a store-bought lemonade, I suggest getting ready-made lemon juice because the store-bought lemonades are already loaded with sugar and would contradict our homemade jalapeno simple syrup.
Yes. To alternate, stir in sugar and a slice of jalapeno. Remove the pith and the jalapeno seeds before making the lemonade less heat.
Printable recipe card
Jalapeno lemonade
Ingredients
For the syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 4 slices jalapeno remove pith and seeds
For mixing
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 4 cups sparkling water
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
For the syrup
- Over medium heat, place a pan. And add water, sugar, and jalapeno slices.
- Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring it to rolling boil.
- Reduce the heat to low. And cook for 10 minutes.
- Strain and discard the jalapeno slices.
- And allow it to reach the room temperature.
For mixing
- In a large pitcher, add lemon juice, sparkling water, jalapeno syrup, and ice cubes.
- Stir until all the ingredients combined.
For serving
- Transfer to serving glasses, and add ice cubes more if desired.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
This is so different and so refreshing too. A great drink for a hot day!