PITCHER THIS..LEMONADE and other drink recipes for SUMMER COOLERS

Nothing cools better on a hot summer day than a frosty glass of ice cold, Fresh lemonade, here are some recipes from Ohio and it's Shaker Communities of the 1800 & 1900's.

SHAKER STYLE FRESH LEMONADE
Makes 1 gallon and yes you will need more than one batch


6 lemons..wash well before use
1 cup sugar (I like natural cane sugar best or light brown packed)
1 cup boiling water
8 cups ice cold water 

Roll the lemons to break down the juice and then squeeze them out ( by rolling you will easily extract more juice), strain and add the sugar.
Meanwhile:
Pour the boiling water over the lemon rinds and allow this to cool.

Strain the lemon rind water over the sugar mix then add the ice cold water.
Serve either in a pitcher of ice or in individual ice filled glasses  


VARIATION:
GINGERADE*

ADD 4 OZS FRESH GINGER ROOT (SLICED) TO THE LEMON PEELS AND COVER WITH 6 CUPS BOILING WATER AND ALLOW TO COOL.
STRAIN AND ADD THE LEMON JUICE (6 LEMONS), 1 CUP SUGAR AND 3 CUPS ICE COLD WATER.
 COOL COMPLETELY AND SERVE OVER ICE.

SHAKER MINT CUP

Perfect for any al fresco dinner
or an evening sipping on the porch swing


2 cups tender mint leaves minced

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 cups boiling water
pinch of sea salt

2 quarts gingerale*

Pour the boiling water over the sugar and mix well until all sugar is dissolved.
 Then add the mint leaves and salt and allow to stand until cool.
Strain and then add the gingerale.
Serve very cold over ice with springs of mint.

VARIATION..in place of all mint use 50% Lemon Balm leaves and 50% mint leaves, both minced.





SHAKER HAYING WATER OR SWITCHEL

This was a working man's drink and kept cool by hanging jugs down wells or in a shaded flowing stream

4 cups sugar 
OR 3 cups maple syrup

2 cups molasses
2 tsp powdered ginger
2 gallons ice cold water



Put all ingredients together and stir well until thoroughly blended...can be done in a blender in batches.
Pour into a large jug or container and chill overnight.
Serve very cold..great in large  earthenware jugs/pitchers.
 This beverage was popular in a time well before the carbonated sodas of today, and it is still a better thirst quencher after all this time.

Remember to always hydrate in hot weather and avoid alcohol.

* in the original recipes the gingerale was using the gingerade recipe, as I think that might be too tart for today's palate I am substituting commercial gingerale..you may however use the gingerade as in the recipe.