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blood orange lemonade with citrus slices and ice

Blood Orange Lemonade

A bold, citrus-forward lemonade built with blood orange pulp, fresh lemon, and a peel-infused simple syrup for deep citrus oils. Vibrant, lightly bitter, and perfectly refreshing — classic lemonade with Mediterranean attitude.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Drinks
Calories: 90

Ingredients
  

CITRUS STRUCTURE
  • 1 item blood orange pulp; seeds removed
  • 2 item lemons pulp; seeds removed
PEEL-INFUSED SIMPLE SYRUP
  • 180 ml water
  • 150 g white sugar
  • 1 item orange peel colored layer only; added off heat
  • 1 item lemon peel colored layer only; added off heat
LEMONADE BASE
  • 500 ml fresh blood orange juice
  • 120-150 ml peel-infused simple syrup to taste
  • item fine sea salt pinch
  • 40-80 ml fresh lemon juice optional; for extra acidity
  • 1 L ice-cold water
TO SERVE
  • item ice
  • item blood orange slices
  • item lemon peel twists

Method
 

  1. In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar and heat gently, stirring just until the sugar fully dissolves, without boiling, then remove from heat, add the orange and lemon peels, cover, and let steep for 10–15 minutes until aromatic, strain out the peels, and let the syrup cool completely.
  2. In a large pitcher, add the blood orange pulp and lemon pulp and mash gently with a muddler just until juice is released and a light citrus structure forms, keeping texture intact rather than turning it into a purée.
  3. Add the fresh blood orange juice, 120 ml of the cooled peel-infused syrup, the pinch of fine sea salt, and the ice-cold water, stir well to integrate, then taste and adjust by adding more syrup for sweetness or a small amount of fresh lemon juice if sharper acidity is needed.
  4. Refrigerate the lemonade for 1–2 hours until fully cold and the flavors are integrated.
  5. Fill glasses with ice, pour over the chilled blood orange lemonade, and garnish with blood orange slices and lemon peel twists.

Notes

  • Blood orange brings bitterness and depth — do not bury it under sugar.
  • Peel infusion is where the adult citrus character lives; skipping it makes this flat.
  • Salt is subtle but essential — it sharpens both orange and lemon without showing up.
  • Lemon juice is optional and corrective, not mandatory.
  • Keeps well refrigerated for up to 48 hours.