Orangeade
A refreshing homemade orange drink made with fresh orange juice, orange peel syrup, and served over ice. This classic beverage combines the bright citrus flavor of fresh oranges with a delicate sweetness.
Ingredients
- 4 medium Oranges, fresh (For juicing)
- 2 tablespoons Orange peel, from 1 orange (Finely grated or thinly sliced)
- 0.5 cup Sugar, granulated (Adjust to taste)
- 1 cup Water, for syrup (For making the sugar syrup)
- 0.5 cup Water, boiling, for peel (To infuse the orange peel)
- 3 cups Water, cold (To dilute the drink)
- 2 cups Ice, crushed or cubed (For serving)
Instructions
- 1Squeeze the juice from the oranges to yield approximately 1 cup of fresh orange juice. Strain to remove seeds and pulp if desired.
- 2Place the orange peel in a small bowl and pour the boiling water over it. Cover tightly with a lid or plate and let steep for 15 minutes to extract the oils and flavor.
- 3In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water for syrup. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil for 2-3 minutes until it forms a thin syrup. Skim off any foam that forms on the surface.
- 4Remove the syrup from heat and let it cool to room temperature, approximately 20 minutes.
- 5In a large pitcher, combine the fresh orange juice, strained orange peel infusion (discard the peel pieces), cooled sugar syrup, and cold water. Stir well to mix thoroughly.
- 6Strain the orangeade through a fine-mesh strainer or jelly bag to remove any remaining pulp or sediment. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour, or serve immediately over ice.
- 7Pour the chilled orangeade into glasses filled with ice. Serve immediately.
