1.13.2011

Recipe: Cheesecake Factory Raspberry Lemonade

The Dr. and I have agreed that we will not go out to eat this year, except for dinner out once a month and our usual, ubiquitous coffee shop visits. Now, for any of you who know me, you know that this presents an almost-insurmountable challenge for me. I LOVE food. I LOVE going out to eat. However, I wanted to be a good sport so I'm using my creative skills to bring some of the restaurant tastes that I love home.

Enter Cheesecake Factory's Raspberry Lemonade. Have you ever had it? It's like crack in a glass. It costs $4.50, and is worth every penny. Whenever we go, I usually suck down at least 3 glasses worth, and then try to talk the server into giving me one to take home (hey, it is $4.50, after all)! Now that we're eating at home, I knew this was one of the restaurant items I would have to try to recreate. And well, I did!



Cheesecake Factory's Raspberry Lemonade
Makes 2 quarts

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
  • Extra sugar for sugaring the rim of your glass
Directions:

Bring the cup of water to a boil. Add the sugar and stir constantly for one minute until sugar is thoroughly dissolved; remove from heat and add to a blender with raspberries. Puree until smooth. Add puree to 2-quart container with lemon juice and enough water to make 2 quarts. Chill before serving. Serve over ice in sugared glasses. (Or, you know, glass, if you're going to hoard it.)

To sugar your glass, run one of your lemon rinds around the edge of the glass to moisten. Dip rim into dry sugar until coated to your liking.

YUM.


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19 comments:

  1. that does sound yummy! I did something like this with the Macaroni Grill's Penne Rustica so I could have it gluten free. The challenge was fun, looking forward to trying this :-)

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  2. Wow! Thanks for taking all the work out of it. I love this drink!

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  3. I've never tried that, but looking at the recipe I want to. Maybe I can make it this weekend with the kiddos, shut the blinds and pretend it's summer inside.
    Thank you!

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  4. Saw this on Pinterest. This looks great!

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  5. Thanks! I LOVE flavored lemonades. I'm definately going to try this one.

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  6. Found this on Pinterest, can't wait to try it!!! Thanks ;)

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  7. I tried this. And mine was much darker than that. Maybe I added a little two much raspberries.

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  8. Just needs vodka :)

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  9. Absolutely delish! Saw on Pinterest, and I used frozen strawberries rather than raspberries because that's what I had. Very easy and yummy!

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  10. OH My!! The best raspberry lemonade ever!!! My 11 year old made this recipe and it was amazing! YUM!

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  11. Do you strain to get out the seeds or leave them in?

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    1. Well, my lemonade pitcher actually has a strainer in it, so I let it do all the work! But if you prefer the seeds gone, by all means strain them beforehand! :)

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  12. My hubbs made this lemonade tonight. He found the recipe on Pinterest. It was so good! I added a splash of ginger ale for a little extra zing! Yum! Thank you!!

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  13. I'm wondering now don't laugh but could you just use lemon juice in the bottle?? I don't have fresh lemons on hand and I'd really want try this!!

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  14. I made this today using 12 oz. frozen strawberries. It is just the right sweet tart flavor!

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  15. This looks delicious! I am going to make it some time because I know how good it is!

    Helen
    Blue Eyed Beauty Blog

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  16. I made 2 gallons of this and put it in the freezer. I kept it there for roughly 12 hours until it froze into a slush. Served it on Christmas day and it was delicious! The deep, red color was perfect for Christmas day! Guests really loved it too!

    Thanks for posting!

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  17. I made this by spiral juice extractor. They taste very delicious and my husband and kids love it very much! Thanks for your sharing!

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