Eastern European Fruit Drink 2

Ingredients

• 4lemons or oranges
• 100 gsugar
• 1 Lwater
• as neededice

Method

1. Begin by preparing the citrus fruits. Choose either 4 lemons or 4 oranges based on your preference. Wash them thoroughly under running water to remove any wax or dirt. Using a sharp knife, cut each fruit in half and squeeze out the juice into a large bowl, ensuring no seeds fall in. You should have about 200-250 ml of juice.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the freshly squeezed citrus juice with 100 g of sugar. Stir gently with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar completely. This step is crucial to ensure the sweetness is evenly distributed throughout the drink.
3. Add 1 L of water to the saucepan with the juice and sugar mixture. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent any sugar from settling at the bottom. The liquid should become clear and slightly thickened, indicating the sugar is fully dissolved.
4. Once the mixture reaches a simmer, remove the saucepan from the heat. Allow it to cool to room temperature naturally, which will help the flavors meld together. This cooling process is important to maintain the delicate balance of flavors without losing the aromatic essence of the citrus.
5. Once cooled, transfer the mixture to a large pitcher. Cover the pitcher with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Chill the drink for at least 2 hours to ensure it is refreshingly cold and the flavors are well-developed.
6. When ready to serve, fill each glass with ice as needed. Pour the chilled fruit drink over the ice, filling each glass generously. Serve immediately in traditional glassware to honor the Eastern European custom of sharing and enjoying together.