Lemongrass Ade
A deliciously light drink for hot days, Lemongrass Ade can be adapted so many ways!
Servings: 4 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
- Wash lemongrass carefully and remove greenest portions of dried outer leaves. (Don't take too much!)
- Peel off remaining dried and woody portions of lemongrass and reserve tender inner stalks for another use.
- Chop coarsely and shred in blender. Cover with water and bring to a boil, then turn off.
- 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.)
- Strain lemongrass base, discarding solids.
- Choose an ingredient group (or try your own!) and stir into 1 quart of lemongrass base. Chill, if not already chilled.
- 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!
Notes
Benefits: increased liquid intake, replace sugar-heavy drinks, cancer-fighting citral