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WINTER LEMONADE: Meyer Lemon Vanilla Spice

January 26, 2015 by Kayley 40 Comments

A WINTER LEMONADE: Meyer Lemon Vanilla Spice | thekitchenmccabe.com

Although summer is really considered the ‘lemonade season’, I like to drink it all year long. And it really makes sense too, seeing as winter is when we really utilize a lot of citrus around here. I always have it around, brightening up my home. I keep lemons around at all times, specifically, because they’re freshly squeezed juice is a great natural remedy during cold and flu season.

This year I’m really squeezing every drop(haha) of use I can from Meyer lemons, which are available for such a short time. Which is unfortunate, seeing as they have such a lovely sweet flavor and are a little less tart then they’re regular, all-season counterparts. Meyer lemons are almost like a cross between a lemon and a clementine. The skin is so smooth, lacking large pores(which is the key thing to look for when picking out citrus) and they have such a vibrant color. Yellow, but a little orange-ish too.

A WINTER LEMONADE: Meyer Lemon Vanilla Spice | thekitchenmccabe.com

This drink is reminiscent of a lemonade that used to be on store shelves, but only for a short time. I believe it was called an ‘island’ lemonade, which didn’t really make sense. Maybe that’s why it was pulled. Regardless, I loved it. It was flavored with cinnamon and vanilla which may sound a little different, but it has come to be one of my favorite flavors in a lemonade.

A WINTER LEMONADE: Meyer Lemon Vanilla Spice | thekitchenmccabe.com

Cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans, along with their seeds, are steeped in a Meyer lemon simple syrup. Water is added and the drink is refrigerated for up to a week. Though delicious a few hours after being made, this lemonade really starts to shine around day 3 or 4. I found that 4 days after it being refrigerated the cinnamon really started to impart its spicy flavor while the vanilla added warm, soft notes to the mixture.

A WINTER LEMONADE: Meyer Lemon Vanilla Spice | thekitchenmccabe.com

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If you can’t find Meyer lemons, regular will do just fine. Check the sweetness of the simple syrup before you refrigerate it, as you may need a little more sugar to counter the more sour flavor of regular lemons.

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A WINTER LEMONADE: Meyer Lemon Vanilla Spice | thekitchenmccabe.com

WINTER LEMONADE: Meyer Lemon Vanilla Spice
 
Print
This lemonade develops a better flavor the longer it sits in the fridge. I found that day 4 brought out the most flavor from the cinnamon.
Serves: Serves 6-8
Ingredients
  • 2 C. Meyer Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
  • 2 C. Sugar
  • 2 C. Water
  • 1 Vanilla bean, split
  • 6 Cinnamon Sticks
  • Additional water
Instructions
  1. Place the meyer lemon juice, sugar, water, vanilla bean, and cinnamon sticks in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.
  2. Turn off the heat as soon as the mixture reaches a boil and let sit in the pan until cool, 2-3 hours. This will give it time for the vanilla and cinnamon to flavor the lemonade.
  3. Pour the syrup into a pitcher(along with the cinnamon sticks and vanilla) and add water until the desired flavor intensity is reached.
  4. Chill.
3.2.2925

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Comments

  1. Lynn | The Road to Honey says

    January 27, 2015 at 10:47 AM

    This would be the perfect drink to add some sunshine to my life as I sit through this massive East Coast blizzard.

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      January 27, 2015 at 3:41 PM

      Oh no, Lynn! You do need this! We haven’t had snow here for ages and I’m wondering if it’s really even winter anymore =)

      Reply
  2. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

    January 27, 2015 at 11:04 AM

    What a beautiful and delicious looking lemonade. I just love how this is inspired by winter flavours too.. I have to try out the recipe!

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      January 27, 2015 at 3:42 PM

      Thank you Thalia! I hope you try it! It’s one of my favorite drinks!

      Reply
  3. Felechia says

    January 27, 2015 at 2:40 PM

    I love Meyer lemons too and I have a big basket of them right now. I like this idea of a vanilla cinnamon lemonade!

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      January 27, 2015 at 3:42 PM

      Thanks Felechia! Sounds like this would be a good use for all those lemons ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
  4. Lauren | Wicked Spatula says

    January 27, 2015 at 3:58 PM

    These photos are absolutely gorgeous! I wonder if coconut sugar or honey would be a good substitute for regular sugar?

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      January 27, 2015 at 5:58 PM

      Thank you Lauren! I haven’t tried it with coconut sugar, but honey would definitely work though you’d have to lower the amount =)

      Reply
  5. Tiare says

    January 27, 2015 at 4:35 PM

    Lemon and vanilla – sounds delish! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      January 27, 2015 at 5:58 PM

      Thank you Tiare!

      Reply
  6. Maya @ Treats and Eats says

    January 27, 2015 at 4:49 PM

    Yum! I love the idea of using meyer lemons and adding winter spices to winterize lemonade ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      January 27, 2015 at 5:59 PM

      Thanks Maya! Hope you get to try it out!

      Reply
  7. Simi Jois says

    January 27, 2015 at 5:24 PM

    Am soooo glad and happy to have found your blog, itโ€™s gorgeous place where I can spend hours and hours of my time. I love the winter lemonade and would love to have this and get my fill of vitamin C.

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      January 27, 2015 at 6:01 PM

      Thank you so much, Simi! I could say the same for your blog, your photography is beautiful!

      Reply
  8. Erin @ Platings and Pairings says

    January 27, 2015 at 6:08 PM

    This lemonade looks so lovely! Love the combination of vanilla and lemon!

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      January 27, 2015 at 6:49 PM

      Thank you Erin!

      Reply
  9. Anna | ANNAdventure says

    January 27, 2015 at 10:20 PM

    Aside from the fact that this drink sounds amazing, I am in awe of the beautiful photography in this post. Totally pinning this to my inspiration board on Pinterest! <3

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      January 28, 2015 at 2:06 AM

      Thank you so much, Anna! I appreciate that! =)

      Reply
  10. Tina @ Just Putzing Around the Kitchen says

    January 27, 2015 at 11:56 PM

    These pictures are so gorgeous! I kind of wish technology existed that would allow me to reach into my computer screen and grab one of those lemonades…

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      January 28, 2015 at 2:07 AM

      Thanks so much, Tina! I wish you could reach in and grab one too!

      Reply
  11. Anjana Devasahayam says

    January 28, 2015 at 5:55 AM

    I love your blog and your photography! Your recipes are spot on as well. We’ve been chugging down mint limeade all winter. I too don’t believe in the whole lemonade is for summer thing!

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      January 28, 2015 at 4:47 PM

      Thank you so much, Anjana! Ohhh…mint limeade sounds so good! I’m glad you feel the same way about lemonade ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
  12. Rochelle @ Oh So Sweet Baker says

    January 28, 2015 at 2:05 PM

    This lemonade sounds so refreshing. I actually have some meyer lemons in the fridge, I might make this

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      January 28, 2015 at 4:46 PM

      Thanks Rochelle, it is! I hope you do make it, it is one of my favorites!

      Reply
  13. Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says

    January 29, 2015 at 1:53 AM

    Loving everything about this!

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      January 30, 2015 at 2:37 AM

      Thank you Serena!

      Reply
  14. Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says

    January 29, 2015 at 8:23 AM

    I’m drinking all kinds of lemon drinks this winter to keep me from the wintertime blues and I’d like a glass of this! I wish you lived closer – we’ve got a meyer lemon tree in our backyard.

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      January 30, 2015 at 2:37 AM

      Are you serious?! Man, I wish I lived closer too! A Meyer lemon tree in your backyard. You lucky duck!

      Reply
  15. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

    February 11, 2015 at 1:54 AM

    Oh my gosh, this is calling my name. I just adore Meyer Lemons. Can’t get enough of them. I’ve been snatching them up left and right! I’m super intrigued by the addition of vanilla and cinnamon in a lemonade. Can’t wait to try it out!

    Reply

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My name is Kayley! Welcome To The Kitchen McCabe, a blog based on wholesome recipes, beautiful food and photography. More >>

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