Description
A refreshing homemade lemonade with the exotic sweetness of dragon fruit and a zesty lemon tang. A unique and delicious twist on a classic drink.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ripe dragon fruits (pink or white flesh), peeled and cubed
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 6–8 lemons)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 6 cups cold water, plus more for adjusting consistency
- Lemon slices, for garnish
- Dragon fruit chunks, for garnish (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dragon Fruit Puree: Peel and cube the dragon fruit. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove seeds.
- Make the Lemonade Base: Squeeze lemons to get 1 cup of fresh juice. In a saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup of water. Heat over medium, stirring until sugar dissolves completely. Let the simple syrup cool completely.
- Assemble the Dragon Fruit Lemonade: In a large pitcher, combine the strained dragon fruit puree, lemon juice, and cooled simple syrup. Add the remaining 5 cups of cold water. Stir well.
- Adjust and Chill: Taste and adjust sweetness with more simple syrup or lemon juice. Add more water for desired consistency. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve and Garnish: Stir well before serving. Fill glasses with ice, pour in the lemonade, and garnish with lemon slices, dragon fruit chunks, and mint sprigs. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjusting Sweetness: Adjust sugar to your liking. Use alternative sweeteners if desired.
- Sparkling Lemonade: Substitute some water with sparkling water or club soda.
- Popsicles: Pour into popsicle molds and freeze.
- Adding Other Fruits: Experiment with berries, pineapple juice, or mango puree.
- Infusing with Herbs: Infuse simple syrup with herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil.
- Making Ahead: Make puree and simple syrup ahead of time (up to 3 days).
- Choosing Dragon Fruit: Pink dragon fruit gives a more vibrant color and slightly sweeter flavor.
- Stronger Lemon Flavor: Add lemon zest to the simple syrup while cooling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes