History of Lemonade

Tap to Read ➤ Deepa Kartha

Everyone likes to have a fresh and chilled lemonade on a hot afternoon. But does anyone know how this drink came into existence? Read this story to know more about the history of your favorite drink.

Lemonade is a refreshing drink enjoyed by people of all ages across the world. It is prepared with lemon, water, and sugar and is extremely simple to prepare. One can relish various types of this lemon drink in different countries. In some places, it is available as a carbonated drink, while in other places, it is made in plain water.

History of Lemonade

Lemons are said to have been first found in North India, China, and Burma, and was introduced in Persia, Arab countries, Iraq, and Egypt in around 700 CE. Lemon was the main ingredient of various dishes, and therefore, the beverage would have been introduced in a country where lemons were found.

However, the first written evidence of its existence is found in Egyptian writings and so we have a reason to believe that it originated in Egypt. It is said that the peasants there, drank a wine made from lemon, date, and honey.

Some also believe that it was first introduced in France during the 16th century. In Cairo, lemon drinks were not only favorites among the locals, but were also exported during the 13th century.

Today, one can find different types of ready-made lemon drinks in the market. The three basic types are clear, cloudy, and fizzy. The clear variety is made in carbonated soda or in plain water without adding sugar. This used to be a popular beverage in the European countries; however, in recent times, sweet versions are also available.

The cloudy variety is a traditional drink made with plain water, lemon, and sugar and is mostly found in India, USA, and Canada. Fizzy lemon beverage is made of soda, using either natural or artificial lemon flavor and is also referred to as 'sweet carbonated soft drink'.

Pink Lemonade

Another variety that is popular in the US is the pink lemonade. It is usually made out of beet juice and is sweeter in taste. There are a few funny stories about the creation of this drink. It is said that few drops of pink dye dripped from a horse rider's tights, at a circus in new Jersey, into the lemonade made by Henry Griffith.

As he did not have time to make it again, this was given to the customers and it became a huge hit. Another story says that pink lemonade was introduced by Henry. E. Allot, when he dropped a cinnamon candy in it by mistake. Although we are unsure about the way it was introduced, it is a drink loved by most people.

These days, people make this drink by adding natural juices of grapes, cherries, red grapes, and strawberries.

Today, it is preferred not only as an individual drink but is even mixed with various cocktails as well as hard drinks. Children in the USA put up lemonade stands in their neighborhoods to make money during summers.

Traditional Recipe Lemonade is not only tasty, but is also a healthy and easy-to-make beverage. The traditional way of making it is simple and takes less than 15 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients 4 cups ice-cold water 1 cup water ¾ cup sugar ½ cup fresh mint 5 lemons Ice cubes

Preparation

Take 1 lemon, extract its juice into a small bowl, and keep it aside. Take the other two lemons, remove their outer skin, and put them in a deep-bottomed pan, along with water and sugar. Keep the pan on low flame and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Cut a few mint leaves into small pieces and add them to the water once it starts boiling.

Then keep it for cooling. Cut the remaining 2 lemons into thin slices and place them in a large serving jug. Pour the sugar mixture into the jug through a filter or sieve and add the lemon juice that was kept aside earlier. Add cold water and ice cubes and mix well.

You can try out a different types of this drink, using various fruits like raspberry, blueberry, watermelon, green apple, etc. Lemonade can be made with ginger, milk, and spices at home. Watermelon lemonade is another variant that can be made and relished at home.

Watermelon Lemonade Ingredients 1 cup water ½ cup lemon juice ⅓ cup sugar ½ watermelon Ice cubes

Preparation Peel the outer layer of the watermelon, remove all the seeds, and cut it into small pieces. Blend the watermelon pieces with water to make a fine juice. Take a large jug, add lemon juice and sugar, and pour in the watermelon juice through a sieve. Mix well till the sugar dissolves. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes and top it up with ice cubes before serving.

It is amazing to see how this peculiar combination of sweet and sour taste has captured the hearts of many, since thousands of years. Even today, people love to drink a glass of chilled lemonade after a tiring day at work.