With today being the first day of summer, I couldn't resist posting a recipe for a cold glass of lemonade...
I've made this with lemons, limes, and a combination of the two, and it consistently comes out tasting delicious!
If your kids don't have trouble with citrus, this is something you can feel good about giving them, and the high vitamin C content is great for colds and general immune system health.
Almost Sugar-Free Lemonade
Servings:
Ingredients
- ¼ c. lemon or lime juice you can also do a combo of the two
- ¾ c. water
- 1 T. maple syrup
- 8-10 drops liquid stevia depending on your taste for a sweeter or slightly more tart drink
- ice
Instructions
- Mix the first four ingredients by hand.
- Pour it over a cup of ice.
- Enjoy!
Notes
The nutrition facts are based on using lemon juice and 10 drops of liquid stevia. Weight Watchers points (new system): 2
Nutrition
Serving: 1Calories: 68kcalCarbohydrates: 18.4gProtein: 0.6gFat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 8mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 13.2g
Some other fun uses for limes and lemons:
- Because of the high vitamin C content, limes and lemons are both beneficial when applied topically. As I type this, I have lime juice on my face in an attempt to 'brighten' my complexion. 🙂
- Try applying lemon juice to a blemish...it has skin lightening properties and may help take the red out.
- Make your own hand scrub with sugar, olive oil, and lemon juice: 1/2 c. + 2 T. sugar, 1/4 c. olive oil, and 1 T. lemon juice. The sugar will exfoliate, while the olive oil softens, and the lemon juice disinfects.
- Lime juice has been shown to help inflammation in such cases as arthritis and gout. (source)
So easy and so deliciously good for you!
What's your favorite cold drink?
I like slushy-type drinks. You may see something like that on here in the near future. 😀
Shared with: Healthy Vegan Friday, Wellness Weekend, 5-Ingredient Monday
Mary Frances @ The Sweet Tooth Life
I didn't realize how versatile lime and lemon juice is! I'll have to try it!
Anna @ Your Healthy Place
Mmm I love the idea of maple syrup in lemonade. It would probably give it a nice hint of a different flavour!
Susan
This recipe sounds very nice. I love lemonade, but would have to have it as part of a snack, because on my eating plan I don't do anything caloric between meals/snacks. My favorite cold drinks are water (which is what I drink most of the time) followed by herbal ice tea. Lately I've been enjoying Celestial Seasonings' True Blueberry as ice tea, which is nice because it doesn't need sweetener.
Laura | My Little Gourmet
YUM! Arik has yet to try lemonade, but he will just eat lemon slices like that so I don't think we'll have a problem. 🙂 I will definitely have to give this a try.
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Mmm maple syrup in lemonade, never would have thought of it!
Christine @ 24 Carrot Kitchen
This looks great as I have been looking for lemonade with less sugar. I am new to Stevia - do you think the powdered Stevia would work? I just bought some of that and am still deciding if I like it. I bought Nu Natural brand which was recommended to me.
Lauren
Hi Christine,
I do think the powdered will work fine. I'm not sure on how exactly to convert it though...here is a link to a chart that may help...http://www.stevia.net/conversion.html
amber
Looks great, Lauren.
I love lemonade and make it often for my kiddos. I like the way stevia tastes. I use lemon or orange stavia. I like your use of maple syrup too.
Peggy
I am sipping on this right now and it's yummy! It's my first foray into liquid stevia. Where do you store yours? Cupboard or fridge?
Lauren
I'm happy you like it Peggy! I keep mine on a shelf in my kitchen. I don't think it needs refrigeration. 🙂
Peggy
I am featuring this on my Fun Finds Friday I love it so much. I'm sending people your way for the recipe.
Lauren
Thank you Peggy! 😀