The end of summer is near, but the weather is still scorching. What better way to cool off on a hot day than by enjoying this raw vegan mint and rosemary lemonade? Made from real ingredients, this is a healthy lemonade you can serve at any summer or early fall gathering. No powders, no added sugars, no preservatives, no chemicals; just pure, all-natural ingredients.
If you can associate one drink with summer, it has to be lemonade. Did you set up a lemonade stand and sell cups to neighbors when you were a child? This recipe is far from that sugary concoction you sold to neighbors for 25 cents a cup, though. This mint and rosemary lemonade is quite a few levels up, especially in regards to flavor, compared to your childhood lemonade. Additionally, it is a great hydrating beverage to enjoy if you plan on being in the sun for a long time.
This recipe is all about the infusion process. You are going to squeeze the lemons and combine them in a strainer over a bowl with fresh mint leaves and rosemary sprigs. Massage them with agave and a little vanilla extract, ideally wearing disposable gloves so you can clean your hands more easily. This may seem like a laborious step, but it makes the lemonade that much better. Cover and refrigerate for about three hours before pressing all the juices through the strainer. Remove the solids, pour the juices into a large pitcher, combine with water, and serve over ice.
- Prep Time:10m
- Total Time:10m
- Serves: 6 servings
- Category: Full Body Cleanse Approved, Smoothies & Juices, Raw, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Ingredients
- 8 large lemons, washed and sliced into 1/2 inch slices
- 3/4 c raw agave nectar
- 10 sprigs fresh mint
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (plus more to garnish)
- 2 tsp. alcohol-free vanilla extract
- 8 c filtered water
- Ice, for serving
Instructions
- Place a medium strainer in a bowl and set aside while you prepare your ingredients.
- Place the lemon slices, agave, mint, rosemary, and vanilla extract into the strainer. Wear disposable gloves or use clean hands to gently massage the ingredients, squeezing the lemons gently to get the juice out.
- Cover the strainer and bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about three hours. Remove from the fridge and massage the lemons and herbs again with clean hands, squeezing the last bit of juice out of each slice.
- Discard the herbs and lemon slice and then you should be left with their juices in the bowl that the strainer was in. Pour that mixture into a large pitcher and combine with the water.
- Pour over ice and serve with optional lemon slices and mint and rosemary sprigs. Enjoy!
