{"id":"recipe_2a8e5a87b3","slug":"fresh-mediterranean-lemonade","title":"Fresh Mediterranean Lemonade","description":"A refreshing and classic Mediterranean-style lemonade made with freshly squeezed lemons, simple syrup, and cold water. Perfect for summer gatherings.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"6 large lemons","name":"Lemon","quantity":6,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":6,"usUnit":"piece","form":"fresh","notes":"juiced, approximately 1 cup of juice","group":"Main Ingredients","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"200g sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"white","group":"Main Ingredients","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 liter water","name":"Water","quantity":1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":"4 1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"cold","notes":"divided into 200ml for syrup and 800ml for diluting","group":"Main Ingredients","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"Ice cubes to taste","name":"Ice cubes","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"cubes","notes":"to taste","group":"Serving","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"Fresh mint leaves","name":"Mint","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"leaves","notes":"for garnish","group":"Serving","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a small saucepan, combine 200g (1 cup) of sugar with 200ml (3/4 cup) of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved to create a simple syrup. Remove from heat and let cool.","group":"Preparation","title":"Combine 200g of sugar","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Squeeze the juice from the 6 lemons into a large pitcher. Ensure you remove any seeds.","group":"Preparation","title":"Squeeze the juice from the 6 lemons","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the cooled simple syrup to the lemon juice and stir well.","group":"Mixing","title":"Add the cooled simple syrup","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Mixing"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Pour in the remaining 800ml (3 1/3 cups) of cold water and stir to combine. Adjust sweetness or tartness by adding more water or sugar if desired.","group":"Mixing","title":"Pour in the remaining 800ml of cold water","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Mixing"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Serve chilled over ice cubes and garnish with fresh mint leaves if using.","group":"Serving","title":"Serve chilled over ice cubes and garnish","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"For a more aromatic flavor, you can rub the lemon zest with the sugar before dissolving it. Adding a sprig of mint or basil provides a lovely Mediterranean herbal note.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["sauce"],"cookingMethod":["noCook"],"equipment":["Juicer","Pitcher","Small saucepan","Wooden spoon"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":1.2,"unit":"l","note":"Makes about 5 standard glasses"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Prepare the simple syrup and lemon juice mixture up to 2 days in advance. Store separately in the fridge and combine with water just before serving."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in a sealed pitcher in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":""}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2a8e5a87b3%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0c31f43d-1226-4728-8afc-7859baa17251","imageAlt":"Fresh Mediterranean Lemonade — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["lemonade","refreshing","citrus","cold drink","mediterranean"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Fresh Mediterranean Lemonade","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T02:19:30.234Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T02:19:30.234Z","related":[{"id":"ac_l_ezme_d064be0373","slug":"acili-ezme","title":"Acılı Ezme","description":"A classic Turkish spicy vegetable salad and condiment featuring finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, and onions, balanced with the tang of pomegranate molasses and aromatic herbs.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fac_l_ezme_d064be0373%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ac6fc624-4435-4cfa-9991-d45441036707","imageAlt":"Acılı Ezme — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","dip","vegetable","healthy","turkish","mezze"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":5},{"id":"haydari_3fdc2dc492","slug":"haydari","title":"Haydari","description":"A thick, creamy Turkish meze made with strained yogurt, feta cheese, fresh dill, and fragrant mint-infused olive oil. This refreshing sauce is perfect for dipping warm pita or serving alongside grilled meats.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","low_carb","keto","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fhaydari_3fdc2dc492%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=6cada5cf-05cb-4e7c-8a86-c67d84d8fecf","imageAlt":"Haydari — recipe cover","tags":["dip","yogurt","turkish","meze","healthy","keto","vegetarian","easy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2e0c548171","slug":"homemade-tahini","title":"Homemade Tahini","description":"A smooth, creamy, and nutty Middle Eastern staple made from toasted sesame seeds. This versatile sauce is the base for hummus, baba ganoush, and many Mediterranean dressings.","serves":16,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Middle Eastern"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","paleo","keto","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2e0c548171%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0c2bc469-8511-48e9-93d9-d006572810d3","imageAlt":"Homemade Tahini — recipe cover","tags":["tahini","sesame","vegan","dip","condiment","homemade","middle eastern"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":3,"stepCount":4}]}