Thirsty Thursday is here, and Sparkling Mango Lemonade is the name of the game.

Fourth of July and a hundred hot nights of Summer are ahead of us (more like lukewarm if you live in Seattle). I always think that you need to be armed with gobs and gobs of great drink ideas in the summer. Isn’t everyone always thirsty? And in the mood to come over and sit out in lawn chairs and chat while sipping drinks and eating grilled food?

At least in my mind that is how I think about Summer…

When I was a kid, I always wanted to be able to get packaged foods at the store. You know, like cookies, drinks, snack food. The answer was always no. My mom was super anti packaged foods (and this was like WAY before that was cool). I would say to myself, “I will totally let me kids have all this kind of stuff if they want it”. Well guess what? The kids wanted me to buy Mango Lemonade at the grocery store the other day. And because I am turning out to be JUST like my mom on this front (wasn’t it so obvious that this is where I was going was that story!) I said “No. But we can make some at home.” And in the opposite of my pouty childhood reaction, they were thrilled!

The idea of making homemade lemonade was beyond exciting to them. And once I added the mango, sparkling water and “fancy” mint sprigs, they were way more pleased with the homemade version then the store bought anyways. It is sweet and just a touch tart. The sparkling water and the mint make it very refreshing!

I presume as a grown up, I will be “spiking” this in the very near future…

*By the way, if you are in Western Washington, I am making the rounds of the gorgeous Metropolitan Markets over the next few days. Come do some shopping, and eat samples of book recipes. I would love to chat with you and sign your books you already have or feel free to purchase one on site! Hope to see you!!

-Thursday June 20th, 5-7PM
Metropolitan Market Sand Point
Signing/Demo
5250 40th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98105

-Friday June 21st, 5-7PM
Metropolitan Market Proctor
Signing/Demo
2420 N Proctor Street
Tacoma, WA 98406

-Saturday June 22nd, 11-1PM
Metropolitan Market Admiral
Signing/Demo
2320 42nd Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98116

-Saturday June 22nd
Metropolitan Market Uptown Queen Anne 4-6PM
Signing/Demo
100 Mercer Street
Seattle, WA 98109
*** This is actually my neighborhood store where I shop all the time!! I LOVE IT!!

To make Sparkling Mango Lemonade, this is what you do:

Peel and Pit the Mango and chop into 1” pieces. In a small pot, combine the mango, sugar and water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes until very soft.

Pour the mangos and syrup into the blender and puree until very smooth.

Add the mango syrup puree to the fresh lemon juice and combine well.
In a pitcher filled with ice add a few fresh mint sprigs and pour in the mango/lemon mixture. Fill the pitcher the rest of the way with the chilled club soda and stir to combine.

Serve cold over ice cubes.