5 Refreshing Twists on Old-fashioned Lemonade

A bounty of zesty ingredients turn a standard summertime refreshment into a celebration of fun, fruity flavours

Nick Devine, head mixologist for The Cascade Room, Habit Lounge, El Camino’s and The Union, has created five twists on old-fashioned lemonade.

The recipes were inspired by the bars themselves and feature a variety of unique ingredients from Earl Grey tea to jalapeno water. Try them all and chime in below with your favourite. Ours? The Limonada Caliente.

Originally published in BC Home & Garden magazine. For regular updates, subscribe to our free Home and Garden e-newsletters, or purchase a subscription to the magazine.

Fresh Pineapple & Basil Lemonade

A perfect savoury and sweet drink combination evocative of The Union‘s Chinatown/Strathcona location.

In a cocktail shaker add:

• 1 oz fresh-pressed lemon juice
• 2 oz fresh pineapple juice
• 1 oz simple syrup (½ water, ½ sugar, bring to boil, cool)
• 5 or 6 fresh basil leaves
• Shake with ice, fine strain into a tall, ice-filled glass
• Top with club soda (2 to 3 oz)
• Garnish with a pineapple spear

To make alcoholic, a good white rum or vodka would work well.

Limonada Caliente

This same combination of hot peppers and lime can be found in El Camino‘s habanero margarita.

Fill an empty wine bottle with still water, de-seed and slice a whole jalapeno, drop it in the bottle, seal and leave in fridge for at least 24 hours.

In a cocktail shaker add:

• 1 oz fresh-pressed lemon juice
• 1 oz simple syrup (½ water, ½ sugar, bring to boil, cool)
• 4 oz of your jalapeno water
• Add ice and shake vigorously, fine strain into a tall, ice-filled glass

To make alcoholic, add an ounce or two of 100% agave tequila.

New Orleans Lemonade

A non-alcoholic version of an old Louisiana gin cocktail, this drink was inspired by the traditional drinks and fare served in The Cascade Room‘s British pub environment.

In a cocktail shaker add:

• 1 oz fresh-pressed lemon juice
• 1 oz simple syrup (½ water, ½ sugar, bring to boil, cool)
• A white of an egg
• 0.5 oz cream
• 3 or 4 drops of orange flower water
• Add ice and shake the bejesus out of it for a good 5 minutes (all about the texture), strain over a tall, ice-filled glass

Rosemary & Honey Lemonade

An English country spin on lemonade fits with the comfort food vibe of Habit Lounge.

In a cocktail shaker add:

• A large sprig of fresh rosemary; de-stem and bash it to release oils
• 1 oz fresh-pressed lemon juice
• 1 oz honey 4 oz still water
• Add ice and shake vigorously, fine strain into a tall, ice-filled glass, garnish with a rosemary sprig

To make alcoholic, add an ounce or two of gin, as it would pair well with the rosemary.

The Nick Faldo

In homage to The Cascade Room, this cheeky take on the lemonade/iced tea combination perfected by golfer Arnold Palmer is renamed for English golfer Nick Faldo.