My Mom’s Meyer Lemonade is easy-to-make, full of flavor and has the perfect balance of ingredients. It’s refreshing, sweet, tangy and oh-so-delicious.
UPDATE: This post was originally written in 2011. Sadly, my mom died in July of 2017. I’m re-posting it to honor her on Mother’s Day. The most amazing, creative chef herself, she was always one of my greatest culinary inspirations . . . .
I absolutely love seeing my mom in her gorgeous kitchen, working on a project with the antique cooking tools she’s collected over the years.
The other day my dad brought in a couple dozen lemons from the Meyer lemon tree in the backyard. My mom’s been making Meyer lemonade ever since the tree has been producing lemons — my mom’s lemonade is the best, and she will never let a single lemon go to waste.
What to do With so Many Lemons
If they’re not in the lemonade, they’re squeezed on fish, whipped into a dessert, or added to tea. Recipes with Meyer lemons are endless. Here are a couple favorites:
When I walked in the kitchen where my mom was busy cutting and juicing the lemons, I was immediately struck by the beautiful work space she’d unintentionally created.
My mom’s always so organized in the kitchen. That’s how I like to work also — there’s also a better flow when everything is in its place.
This huge Jacaranda tree has stood in my parents’ yard since before I was born. It’s always been as strong and as beautiful as ever and “rains” its pretty purple flowers in May and June.
This is one of my all time favorite photographs my dad took in the 70’s — me, my mom, and brother, under the Jacaranda tree.
The common thread between the Jacaranda flowers and the lemonade are that both will forever make me think of my mom and dad and their gorgeous gardens. And don’t the lilac-colored flowers and the golden lemons just look so pretty together!?
My mom’s Meyer lemonade recipe is quick, easy, delicious and the perfect summertime drink!
A few more of my recipes with Meyer Lemons:
- Meyer Lemon Basil Pizza
- Fried Meyer Lemon Caesar Salad
- Meyer Lemon Thyme Spaghetti
- Whipped Meyer Lemon Vanilla Butter
- Meyer Lemon Vanilla Hot Milk Cake
And here are a dozen more recipes from my mom:
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During citrus season, recipes with Meyer lemons are divine, and my mom's lemonade recipe is no exception. This easy-to-make Meyer lemonade recipe is fresh, refreshing, sweet, tangy and oh-so-delicious.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups Meyer lemon juice
- dash of salt
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In a small saucepan, heat the sugar with the water until it's dissolved. Remove from the stove and pour it into a large pitcher.
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Add the lemon juice and a bit of salt. Stir to blend.
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Once the lemonade has cooled to room temperature, place it in the refrigerator.
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Serve chilled over ice.
Meyer lemons are thought to be a cross between a standard lemon and an orange. They have smoother, thinner skin, a wonderful tangy aroma and are also sweeter and less acidic than most other lemons.
Recommended item for this recipe:
Beth Fulton says
What a beautiful post………..
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
That looks beautiful. I love the color of it! I’ve never used meyer lemons but they look so good. We have the exact same tool to juice lemons. I had never seen one like that before but I love it now 🙂
valentina says
Heidi, I love that you have the same juicer. My mom has collected things like that her whole life — she’s not sure when this one entered her life, but she uses all the time! Thanks for the comment and I hope you’ll try a Meyer lemon! 🙂
Denise says
I have fond memories of my Mom making lemonade and putting it in a large pitcher and then slicing up an orange and putting that into the lemonade. It was so pretty and really quinched my thirst.
valentina says
Orange slices in the lemonade — I love it! Must look beautiful in a glass pitcher!
Roberta says
I don’t know what I love the most about this Friday’s post — the story, the photos, or the yummy summertime recipe.
valentina says
Thank you Ro! XOXO
Aimee says
This post made me teary – in a good way. 🙂 xo
John K says
Yum! And thanks for that great picture. I think I remember it. That tree is older than Mom and Dad, too! I love how you consider food goodness and presentation to go together. The flowers look great with the lemons.
Tamara Walker says
This is now my favorite recipe too for the love of MAMA!
yvonne w says
wow! I love the recipe, thanks for sharing. On another note….you look like my twin in the pic you posted there with your mom and brother.
Cathy A says
What sweet and delicious memories.
valentina says
Thank you so much, Cathy! xoxo
David says
Oh, I remember my first Mother’s Day after my mother died – it will be 30 years this July. You are in my heart, Valentina.
Thanks for sharing her Meyer lemonade recipe, and your others!
Helene Goldnadel says
Loved this… It is truly an amazing magical power that lemon juice is packed with.
valentina says
Thank you so much Helene! I’m so happy you liked my mom’s recipe, and I completely agree about “magical powers!” 🙂
Reba says
A friend of mine brought by a huge bag of lemons the other day and I just finished juicing them. I froze two 4-cup bags, but had a little left over so decided to look for a lemonade recipe. Your post was so wonderful to read and the recipe is delicious. And the funny part was, my “leftover” amount of lemons…..exactly two cups. 🙂 Have a Merry Christmas!
valentina says
Reba, you made my day. My favorite posts/recipes are those relating to my mom. SO great you had exactly the right amount of juice.I love that! Happy holiday season to you and thank you! 🙂
Judy says
Now I am thirsty.
Alan Morrison says
I used the recipe on the Meyer lemon bag, but added the juice of one well-ripened lime to the juice of eight Meyer lemons to give it a little different taste. I threw in a few thin-sliced lime rind mostly for color and visual appeal. It proved a nice combination.
valentina says
Sounds lovely, Alan! 🙂
Christina Conte says
Somehow I missed this post, but how beautiful it is. You must miss your mom immensely, Valentina, but those little things like Meyer lemons and Jacaranda trees keep you connected to her.
I’m sure the pinch of salt in the lemonade adds more flavor to it, must try! Thank you for sharing your mom’s recipe. <3
valentina says
Awww, thank you so much, Christina! I do miss her and yes, there are so many little things every day that keep the connection strong. 🙂
Brenda says
I love your sweet, sweet story about your mom. 💕
valentina says
Thank you so much, Brenda. I so appreciate you taking the time to write me this note. 🙂 ~Valentina