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Lemongrass Ade

A deliciously light drink for hot days, Lemongrass Ade can be adapted so many ways!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time2 hours 30 minutes
Course: Drinks
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!)
    Remove the dry grassy parts of the lemongrass.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
    Lemongrass base, re-heated and steeped with jasmine flowers from the local Asian market is a mild and delicious drink.
  • 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