Big Yellow House Cocktail
By Yankee Magazine|Aug 28 2006|
We began serving this fresh lemonade when we first moved into our Martha’s Vineyard home eight years ago. We add touches such as a fresh raspberry on a swizzle stick. The alcohol can be omitted.
Yield
about 8 cups
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1-1/2 cups fresh lemon juice (about 6 lemons)
4 cups cold water
2 cups lemon vodka
Garnish: fresh berries and lemon rind
Instructions
Combine sugar and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, then cook 1 to 2 minutes, or until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
In a pitcher, combine syrup with lemon juice and 4 cups cold water. Refrigerateuntil chilled. Add vodka, then stir. Pour into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with berries and lemon rind.
Love this on a warm afternoon, beware you don’t taste the alcohol! I find Skyy Vodka citrus has the best lemon taste. I use 1-1/4 cups sugar with the water, it was too sweet in my first attempt. Great for small gathering of company.
I make this all the time! Our favorite is Grey Goose citron or Belvedere citron for the vodka, but beware that you won’t taste it if made correctly! Enjoy on a warm summer day or evening. Recipe can be multiplied to make a larger batch with the same taste! (I make a gallon for the 4th of July!)