When Costco gives you lemons...

When I started coming down with something a few weeks ago, I went to Fred Meyer and bought a few Meyer lemons.  They're not the cheapest, and I didn't know how many of these I would be drinking. But when Scott started to catch whatever I had times 10, I thought Costco lemons would be the more reasonable decision.  Half a bottle of Bookers later, I was left with a healthy household and the remaining lemons.

Seeing as we live in Oregon in March, our weather will turn from a raw 45 degrees and sideways windy rain, to sunshine and 62 in a matter of two days.  On my day off last week, it was the latter.

And what would be the perfect accompaniment to a day that includes sitting in the sun and mowing the lawn?  LEMONADE!!!

My lemonade days in the past have only consisted of Kool-Aid flavored with an old childhood friend before her family's massive garage sale each summer.  We'd mix gallons of water with 20 packets and about half of a giant size bag of sugar.  I could never quite get the granules dissolved.  Even in the hot water, there were just too many.  A few sand stragglers typically ended up in the bottom of our garage sale patrons' Dixie cups.  They never seemed to mind.  We included brownies with our sugary beverages, and usually managed to sell out each year.  

I've moved way past those Kool-Aid days, and it's all about the Meyer Lemons, so I thought I could really make a good thing happen with a sweeter lemon that claims on the package to be half lemon, half tangerine. 

Maybe it was the weather, but it worked.  Brilliantly, in fact.  I squeezed about ten lemons, and used one tablespoon of sugar for each lemon.  It wasn't overly sweet, or too sour for me, but you can always adjust.  Again, the Meyer Lemon is proving to be superior.  

I made the lemonade after a long run on a stunning road that overlooks downtown Portland.  Made me realize why I love living here so much, even when the weather turns sour in a matter of hours.  I later drank a glass of this after just mowing the lawn.

Meyer Lemonade (makes 30 ounces)

This is a strong lemonade, so it mixes well with club soda, vodka, or just simply on its own, with plenty of ice.

10 squeezed Meyer Lemons

10 tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup boiling water, plus 1-2 cups cold water

Mix sugar and boiling water until sugar dissolves.   Add sugar mixture to squeezed lemons.  Mix well, and add 1 cup of cold water.  Taste.  Adjust as needed.  

Use within 5 days, if it lasts in your fridge for that long.