Relax on Memorial Day with Blueberry Lemonade

With Memorial Day just around the corner and the mercury rising, people all over the country are pulling tarps off their grills and preparing the backyard for a summer barbecue. Sadly, Im not one of them. Living in a high-rise apartment, has some advantages (like not having to shovel snow in the winter), but a ban of grills is perhaps the biggest downside. At one point, I contemplated converting a window planter into a makeshift hibachi out of desperation. But after some thought, prudence reigned in my fiery desires. Alas, Ill be sitting out another grilling season dreaming of lighting a chimney and hearing the coals crackle. But just because I wont be grilling, doesnt mean I wont be cooking. Over the next few weeks, Ill be sharing some barbecue friendly recipes that you can make for (or take to) your next outdoor bash. This week I have a recipe for vibrant blueberry lemonade. Its simple to make, looks gorgeous, and unlike some lemonades, it actually tastes like lemons. For simplicitys sake, I blend the sugar with the lemons and blueberries. This evenly distributes the sugar without having to make simple syrup first. By adding some lemon zest in, it amps up the citrus aroma, giving you plenty of lemon flavor without making it too tart. Perhaps the best part of this lemonade is that it makes a mix that can be prepared in a number of ways. Add water for a traditional lemonade, add seltzer water for a fizzy soda, or cut it with your favorite spirit to make a refreshing summer cocktail.

---

Marc Matsumoto is a culinary consultant and recipe repairman who shares his passion for good food through his website norecipes.com. For Marc, food is a life long journey of exploration, discovery and experimentation and he shares his escapades through his blog in the hopes that he inspires others to find their own culinary adventures. Marcs been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today, and has made multiple appearances on NPR and the Food Network.