
Today, I used my friend’s lemons from her home in Los Angeles to make a very simple French Citron Presse or tart lemonade. It’s a deconstructed lemonade made with lemon juice, ice cubes, sparkling water, and simple syrup…et voilå, a French lemonade, but unlike the kind you buy at the grocery store!





The traditional way to serve a classic pressé is with a bowl of sugar, a shaker of sugar or sugar cubes, and cold water. I prefer to use a honey simple syrup to sweeten the fresh lemon juice. Serving a glass of fresh lemon juice with room to add water is always customary. Then, allow the person served the citron presse to add the sugar (or simple syrup) to taste. I added very little simple syrup made with honey to my own drink as I like it tart.
This drink is typically served in French cafés on hot summer days. It’s quite refreshing, but it’s also lovely to serve in January when many people take a break from drinking alcohol. And since citrus season begins in January, it’s perfect! If you have some fresh lemons, I hope you take a moment and make a glass.
The lemons I used are from my friend’s tree in LA, and I am certainly thinking of her and the unimaginable and heartbreaking events still unfolding in LA.
LA, in our hearts and prayers.
PrintMake a French Citron Presse (or a tart lemonade)
A classic French Citron Pressé.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2
Ingredients
- Meyer lemons
- Cold sparkling or still water
- Sugar or simple syrup made with honey
- Ice
Instructions
- Juice 4-5 Meyer lemons
- Strain into two tall glasses with ice (leaving room for adding cold water)
- Make a simple syrup by diluting honey and warm water in equal amounts and shaking vigorously.
- Serve with a bottle of cold water and sugar or honey simple syrup
- Add cold water and simple syrup to taste, give a stir, and enjoy!
Here are a few more Sunday favorites:
GAP Poplin Pajamas with Iron-On Heart Patches
For the girls in our family (Madeline and Kate) I bought GAP pajamas in candy cane stripe and added a little iron-on heart patch. I thought about embroidering a little heart, but then I remembered that I don’t actually know how to embroider. So a little patch was the perfect solution to make these Christmas PJs into a Valentine gift.
Painted Lampshades by Atelier Elizabeth Rose
I came across these lamp shades on Instagram and was instantly smitten with them. I love combining different styles, modern with more vintage, and she does this so brilliantly with just a few brush strokes…and the perfect colors. I adore her palettes, too! You can see more here and follow Atelier Elizabeth Rose on Instagram here.
Photos: Atelier Elizabeth Rose
That’s all I have today. I might make lemon scones with the rest of my Meyer lemons. But for now, let’s check in with Cindy and Mary Ann.
Cindy Hattersely Design
Classic Casual Home
You may also like this post: Make These Orange Marmalade Scones
This looks so refreshing. And a perfect use for all our lemons!
That lemonade sounds delicious! I am pinning that! What a cute idea with the pj’s!!