For those who can’t think of a more refreshing drink than an ice-cold lemonade on hot summer days, we have a wonderful lemonade recipe that will make flowers bloom in your glass.
Bougainvillea, one of the indispensable plants of the Mediterranean climate, has recently been very popular with its health benefits as well as decorating Cyprus gardens and streets with its colorful flowers. Rich in antioxidants, this colorful flower helps strengthen the immune system and protect the body from free radicals. Before we move on to our blossoming recipe, let’s take a look at the traditional lemonade, perhaps the best you can drink in Cyprus.
Traditional Cyprus Lemonade
Ingredients:
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Granulated sugar
Preparation:
- Squeeze the juice out of the lemons with the peel and drain.
- Measure the amount of strained lemon juice.
- For every cup of lemon juice, add one and a half cups of granulated sugar
- Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Transfer the mixture into glass bottles.
Presentation:
- Put 1/5 lemonade in a water glass and mix with cold water.
- Serve with ice and fresh mint leaves.
Bougainvillea Lemonade Recipe
If you are looking for a refreshing and delicious drink to serve to your loved ones this holiday, bougainvillea lemonade is for you! The recipe, which has recently been trending on TikTok and Instagram, is also a popular drink in Mexico. With its delicate floral aroma and colorful presentation, we are sure that it will go well with summer parties and holiday tables!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh bougainvillea leaves (cleaned and dried)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 glass of water
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
- 4 cups cold water
- Ice
- Lemon wedges and bougainvillea flowers (for decoration, optional)
Preparation:
- Bougainvillea Syrup:
- In a saucepan, mix the bougainvillea leaves with sugar and water.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- When the mixture comes to a gentle boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool completely.
- After cooling, strain the syrup and remove the bougainvillea leaves.
- Preparation of Lemonade:
- In a large jug, combine freshly squeezed lemon juice and 4 cups cold water.
- Add the bougainvillea syrup a little at a time to taste. You can adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste.
- Stir the lemonade well and chill, adding ice if necessary.
- Service:
- Pour the bougainvillea lemonade into glasses filled with ice.
- Garnish each glass with a lemon wedge and bougainvillea blossom and serve.
Recommendations
Selecting Bougainvillea Leaves: Choose bougainvillea leaves that are fresh and free of any pesticides. Wash the leaves thoroughly in cold water and make sure they are dry before use.
Adjusting the Sweetness: You can adjust the sweetness of lemonade by changing the amount of bougainvillea syrup. You can reach the desired sweetness by starting with a small amount and tasting it.
Variations: You can add a little mineral water to the bougainvillea lemonade to make it fizzy or add fresh mint leaves for extra freshness.
Presentation: Serve the lemonade in elegant glasses and garnish with lemon wedges or bougainvillea flowers.
Bonus Green Tea Lemonade
Drink lemonade with green tea;
Brew 1 tablespoon of green tea with 2 cups of water for 5 minutes and add it to the lemonade. You can use this recipe for both bougainvillea and traditional lemonade.
Before serving, shake the bottle well and make sure all the ingredients are mixed together. Garnish with ice, thinly sliced fresh mint leaves and lemon wedges. Bon Appetit!
