Lemonade
A refreshing twist on a historic favorite, this Martha Washington-inspired lemonade combines bright citrus with crisp Pinot Grigio for an elegant drink that's perfect for warm-weather entertaining.
There's something special about serving a recipe with a story. This refreshing lemonade is inspired by a recipe associated with Martha Washington, adapted from the wonderful Dining with the Washingtons cookbook from Mount Vernon, which celebrates the foods and beverages enjoyed by America's first presidential family.
Our version transforms the original into an easy-to-make lemonade concentrate that can be mixed with chilled Pinot Grigio for a light, sophisticated summer cocktail. Hosting guests who prefer a non-alcoholic option? Simply substitute cold water or sparkling water for the wine, and you'll have an equally refreshing drink everyone can enjoy.
Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue, a garden brunch, or a leisurely picnic, this historic-inspired lemonade is a delicious reminder that gracious entertaining—and great refreshments—never go out of style.
Note: Makes 750 ml (or approximately 3-4 cups) of lemonade concentrate that, when diluted, serves 8-10 glasses.
Ingredients for Lemonade Concentrate
3 lemons, juice and zest
2 cups of water plus more, as needed
3/4 cup sugar
1 bottle chilled Pinot Grigio wine (or water for non-alcoholic version)
Instructions
Zest the lemons into a sauce pan with 1 cup of water, and bring to a boil.
Turn off the heat and stir in the sugar until it dissolves.
Add the juice of the lemons and one additional cup of water.
Strain the lemonade concentrate into a resealable bottle and chill.
To serve individually, pour a 50/50 mixture of lemonade concentrate and Pinot Grigio wine into a glass. Garnish with a lemon twist, if desired. For a non-alcoholic lemonade, use water or sparkling water instead of wine.
For a punch format, simply mix the bottle of lemonade concentrate with an entire bottle of Pinot Grigio wine in a punch bowl or large pitcher, and add a few cups of ice. Omit the ice if you’re on a picnic and have a thermal wine-cooler bag to keep the lemonade cold.
Enjoy!