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Lemongrass Ade

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 Lemongrass Ade
A deliciously light drink for hot days, Lemongrass Ade can be adapted so many ways!
Course Drinks
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Passive Time 2 hours
Servings
8oz glasses
Ingredients
Lemongrass base.
  • 5 stalks lemongrass tough parts, shredded
  • 4 quarts water
V1) Lemongrass Lemonade
  • 1/4 C lemon juice
  • 1/2 t honey-rind * see notes
  • 2 T honey adjust to taste
V2) Lemongrass Orangeade
  • 1 C orange juice fresh is best
  • 1/2 t honey-rind * see notes
  • 1 T lemon juice
  • 1 T honey
V3) Lemongrass Blood Orange Ade with Basil
  • 1/2 C blood-orange juice
  • 1/2 t honey-rind * see notes
  • 1 T lemon juice
  • 1 T honey
  • 5 leaves Thai basil
V4) Jasmine tea with lemongrass
  • 1 T dried Jasmine blossoms Look for pure blossoms at your Asian market, rather than tea mixed with blossoms
  • 1 quart HOT lemongrass base After straining, bring to a boil and add blossoms.
Course Drinks
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Passive Time 2 hours
Servings
8oz glasses
Ingredients
Lemongrass base.
  • 5 stalks lemongrass tough parts, shredded
  • 4 quarts water
V1) Lemongrass Lemonade
  • 1/4 C lemon juice
  • 1/2 t honey-rind * see notes
  • 2 T honey adjust to taste
V2) Lemongrass Orangeade
  • 1 C orange juice fresh is best
  • 1/2 t honey-rind * see notes
  • 1 T lemon juice
  • 1 T honey
V3) Lemongrass Blood Orange Ade with Basil
  • 1/2 C blood-orange juice
  • 1/2 t honey-rind * see notes
  • 1 T lemon juice
  • 1 T honey
  • 5 leaves Thai basil
V4) Jasmine tea with lemongrass
  • 1 T dried Jasmine blossoms Look for pure blossoms at your Asian market, rather than tea mixed with blossoms
  • 1 quart HOT lemongrass base After straining, bring to a boil and add blossoms.
Instructions
  1. Wash lemongrass carefully and remove greenest portions of dried outer leaves. (Don't take too much!)
    Remove the dry grassy parts of the lemongrass.
  2. Peel off remaining dried and woody portions of lemongrass and reserve tender inner stalks for another use.
    Remove the outer leaves from the lemongrass stalks.
  3. Chop coarsely and shred in blender. Cover with water and bring to a boil, then turn off.
    Shred chopped portions of lemongrass in blender, a small batch at a time.
  4. Leave lemongrass to steep in water for at least an hour. (You can put it in the fridge overnight at this point if you want -- longer is better.)
  5. Strain lemongrass base, discarding solids.
  6. Choose an ingredient group (or try your own!) and stir into 1 quart of lemongrass base. Chill, if not already chilled.
    Lemongrass base, re-heated and steeped with jasmine flowers from the local Asian market is a mild and delicious drink.
  7. Adjust to taste with lemon juice and/or honey. It should be a refreshingly mild drink, so don't make it too tart or too sweet!
Recipe Notes

Benefits: increased liquid intake, replace sugar-heavy drinks, cancer-fighting citral

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