Ingredients
- For the simple syrup and lemonade:
-
5 cups
water, divided
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1 cup
sugar
-
1 cup
loosely packed herbs
-
3
lemons, juiced
- For assembly:
-
Lightly flavored beers, such as a pilsner or lager (even very low-end beers work, like Amstel or PBR)
-
Ice
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Herbs for garnish
Directions
-
Make the herb-infused simple syrup: In a saucepan or pot with a lid, bring 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 1 cup herbs to a boil, stirring. Immediately remove from heat, cover, and allow to steep for 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how strong of an herbal flavor you want your drink. Strain out the herbs if you like (I leave mine in the entire time for a very herbal syrup).
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In a pitcher, dispenser, or something from which you can easily pour, mix the lemon juice, 4 cups of water, and 3/4 to 1 cup simple syrup. Taste for sweetness. Keeping in mind that the drink will be diluted with beer when you mix it, I tend to go a bit sweeter than I normally would with lemonade.
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Add ice to the lemonade if you’re serving to many people right away; or add ice glass-by-glass for all-day-long consumption.
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Fill a tall glass (with or without ice) halfway with the lemonade. Top up the rest of the glass with beer. Garnish with an herb sprig.
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If you have leftover simple syrup, it will keep, in a sealed container in the fridge, for a week.
I'm a public health professional in the nation's capital, and an enthusiastic home cook and writer in my rural Virginia kitchen. I love simple, market- and garden-driven food and entertaining that's accessible and low-fuss.
I like to think I write about the life lived between the lines of the recipe.
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