Strawberry Lemonade

Here's the perfect summer drink just in time for the height of strawberry season in northern Ontario.  It is reminiscent of a strawberry dacquiri but less sweet and oh so much fresher!  


INGREDIENTS:
4 cups (1 liter) cold water
3 - 4 Tbsp (45-60 ml) liquid honey - to taste
2 cups (500 ml) strawberries, fresh, cleaned and hulled
1/2 cup (125 ml) lemon juice, bottle - I used organic Italian Volcano Lemon Juice
zest from 1/2 of a fresh lemon (optional)
Gin, rum or vodka etc. (optional)

METHOD:

1. Combine cleaned and hulled strawberries, cold water, lemon juice, peel and honey in blender and puree until smooth.  Add additional honey, if desired.
2. Serve over ice, garnished with fresh berries and a sprig of mint if you have it!

NUTRITION FACTS (per 1 cup serving/virgin cocktail): 50 calories, 0 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 5 mg sodium, 12 g carbohydrate, 1 g fibre, 10 g sugar.  % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet are 45% vitamin C and 2% calclium.

Yours in good taste!
Nancy Guppy, RD, MHSc
www.chapmanslanding.com