Everyone has heard the saying: “When fate hands you a lemon, make lemonade.” -Dale Carnegie My son heard another quote that appealed to his capitalistic tendencies: “When life gives you lemonade, corner the market and hike up the prices.” I’m unsure who to credit with this quote, but it certainly spells out Dale Carnegie’s message in a little more detail. Don’t just make lemonade…don’t just survive life’s lemons, take advantage of them… get something more than lemonade.
There are some folks out there that who could corner the market with all the lemons life has handed them. They would be billionaires. Life is funny, though. Yes, we get lemons from time to time that seem to come falling from the sky with no reason whatsoever. But, sometimes we have to step back and ask “Did I really have a hand in what is happening? How could my decisions caused this to happen?” We might find that we have more to do with the lemons tossed our way than we thought.
I could wax philosophical on this for a long time but I’ll keep it short so that I don’t receive any sour comments regarding my life philosophy. It seems to me that those who are successful in life take any misfortunes (either brought on by poor decisions or by uncontrolled outside sources) and turn them into positives. These people are the ones who say, “Fine. So, I have lemons. Give me ten minutes and I’ll have my lemonade stand set up and open for business.” Of course, I try to make lemonade as often as possible. But, sometimes the lemons are a little more sour and harder to sell. This is when my lemonade stand only serves to those 21 years or older. Any lemon will taste better with a little vodka added to it. So, why not try hard lemonade.
Even if life isn’t handing you lemons, it will be sending some pretty warm weather your way as summer approaches. This hard lemonade recipe is a refreshing alternative to beer and wine.
Product Love:
To make your lemon squeezing easier and convenient we found these handy gadgets. The Lemon Sombrero by Umbra is the perfect way to add a little lemon juice to your water bottles.
The Juice Lab by Beater Blade is handy for recipes such as the hard lemonade you can measure the juice as you squeeze the lemons.
Hard Lemonade (Recipe from Sunny)
Ingredients
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
8 cups ice
4 ounces vanilla-infused vodka, recipe follows*
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 lemon, sliced into rings
1 lime, sliced into rings
Directions
1. In a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to a simmer. Cook until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. In a large pitcher, fill with ice. Stir in simple syrup, vodka, juice, lemon and lime slices.
Vanilla-infused Vodka:
1 liter vodka
2 vanilla beans
Split beans lengthwise and add to vodka bottle. Let infuse overnight in a cool dark place. Strain into another sterilized bottle.
Photography Data:
ApertureFNumber: f/5.6
Christopher Elwell
Make: NIKON CORPORATION
Model: NIKON D90
ExposureTime: 1/80
FNumber: 56/10
ExposureProgram: 1
ISOSpeedRatings: 200
MaxApertureValue: 31/10
MeteringMode: 2
LightSource: 0
Flash: 0
FocalLength: 1050/10
abby @ thingsforboys
May 24, 2012 at 7:01 pm //
that juice sombrero is cute! I always imagine that lemon and vanilla don’t go together, but I want to try this.
myfudo
May 26, 2012 at 2:06 pm //
Thank you Abby.
Honey What's Cooking
May 25, 2012 at 1:16 am //
looks so delicious, almost like Limocello. YUMMY!
myfudo
May 26, 2012 at 2:06 pm //
Thank you = )
Jenn and Seth (@HomeSkilletCook)
May 25, 2012 at 3:29 am //
this sounds delicious! perfect summertime drink!
myfudo
May 26, 2012 at 2:06 pm //
Thank you Jenn.
kankana
May 25, 2012 at 6:11 am //
That’s a beautiful styling with flower. The drink sounds so refreshing and vanilla infused vodka .. that’s yum!
myfudo
May 26, 2012 at 2:07 pm //
Thank you Kankana = )
Stephaie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
May 25, 2012 at 6:34 am //
This looks so refreshing! Love the vanilla vodka twist!
myfudo
May 26, 2012 at 2:07 pm //
Thank you Stephanie.
Anna @ hiddenponies
May 25, 2012 at 2:57 pm //
I love lemonade, and vanilla vodka can really only make anything better! Your pictures are always so stunning and fresh, you inspire me!
myfudo
May 26, 2012 at 2:07 pm //
Thank you Anna = )
Amanda ~ sunny vegan
May 26, 2012 at 2:05 am //
I always love a good spiked drink, and this one looks divine!
myfudo
May 26, 2012 at 2:07 pm //
Thank you Amanda.
Jennifer Eloff
May 26, 2012 at 4:52 am //
Just realized how thirsty I am! Sounds wonderful! Have a great weekend.
myfudo
May 26, 2012 at 2:08 pm //
You too, thank you Jennifer = )
torviewtoronto
May 29, 2012 at 2:56 am //
lovley presentation
myfudo
May 29, 2012 at 8:37 am //
= )