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    Home » Drinks

    Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade

    Published: Apr 29, 2013 · Modified: Jun 3, 2020 by thekitchenprep · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade! This fresh lemonade recipe gets a flavor upgrade with the addition of real vanilla bean and fragrant rosemary. A perfect sipper for showers, parties and summertime porch sittin'!
    Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade! This fresh lemonade recipe gets a flavor upgrade with the addition of real vanilla bean and fragrant rosemary. A perfect sipper for showers, parties and summertime porch sittin'!

    I'm getting to do something this coming weekend that I've been wanting to do for years: Host a Kentucky Derby party.

    Why have I always had a fascination for this grand Southern tradition, you ask? I couldn't even begin to tell you. It's actually sort of ironic since I have an unnatural apprehension when it comes to horses. {I know, weird. I'm also not a fan of birds.}

    I've certainly never had a great experience with Derby, either. One year, Steve and I decided to watch the race. Though we're not really horse race kind of folks, we figured we had nothing to lose... it is known as "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports", after all.  We could handle two minutes of an event we had no real interest in.

    As it turns out, the horse I decided to root for, Eight Belles {the first filly to win a trio of important races... girl power!}, collapsed and was put down within minutes of coming in second at the Derby. I was horrified! {And I vowed never to root for any other horse lest I jinx them into an untimely death.}

    And yet, every year around this time, I find myself yearning to don a big, ridiculous hat and sip a Mint Julep out of a silver cup. Call me crazy.

    Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade! This fresh lemonade recipe gets a flavor upgrade with the addition of real vanilla bean and fragrant rosemary. A perfect sipper for showers, parties and summertime porch sittin'!

    Anyway, this year I'm giving in to my Derby desires. I'm going all out -- adorable Derby evites from Paperless Post, a request for guests to come in Derby-appropriate attire, a hat contest, and a full Southern menu! {As well as few other surprises I can't share in case any of the guests are reading this!}

    I'd like to say I'll be sharing all of the fabulous dishes I'll be making with you, but the truth is, party planning -- though one of my very favorite things to do -- overwhelms me, and I don't want to pressure myself by promising to share recipes and not being able to deliver. {Though, if I am able to stick to my timeline this week and all goes as planned, I will most definitely document any recipes you shouldn't live without.}

    If you want to take a peek at how things are coming along this week, I'll be sharing snippets on my Instagram and Facebook accounts, so feel free to join me pre-meltdown... I mean, pre-party. 😉

    Meanwhile, I'm sharing this fresh lemonade recipe: Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade! A gorgeous beverage for any party and a good alternative to juleps for those who don't care for bourbon. {Unlike me.}

    Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade! This fresh lemonade recipe gets a flavor upgrade with the addition of real vanilla bean and fragrant rosemary. A perfect sipper for showers, parties and summertime porch sittin'!

    Lemonade already conjures images in my mind of lazy afternoons, porch swings, and beautiful plantation homes, so it just made sense to make this drink for an occasion that's steeped in Southern tradition. Plus, with most of your spring herb gardens in full bloom {totally jealous. I'm a natural plant killer.}, you'll need some recipes that use up all of that rosemary.

    Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade! This fresh lemonade recipe gets a flavor upgrade with the addition of real vanilla bean and fragrant rosemary. A perfect sipper for showers, parties and summertime porch sittin'!

    Fragrant, herbaceous rosemary pairs so well with tart lemon and sweet vanilla bean in the easy-t0-make simple syrup that gives this fresh lemonade recipe its flavorful twist. If you're so inclined, a shot of vodka or bourbon could amp things up from family-friendly beverage to adults-only cocktail in no time flat!

    Grab a glass and place your bets... this here's a guaranteed winner.

    Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade! This fresh lemonade recipe gets a flavor upgrade with the addition of real vanilla bean and fragrant rosemary. A perfect sipper for showers, parties and summertime porch sittin'!

    Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade

    The Kitchen Prep
    Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade! This fresh lemonade recipe gets a flavor upgrade with the addition of real vanilla bean and fragrant rosemary. A perfect sipper for showers, parties and summertime porch sittin’!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 3 hrs
    Cook Time 27 mins
    Total Time 3 hrs 27 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 3 cups

    Ingredients
      

    • ¾ cups sugar
    • 1 vanilla bean split
    • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
    • 1½ cups water
    • 1½ cups fresh lemon juice or thawed frozen lemon juice
    • sparkling water optional

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, vanilla bean, rosemary and water. Bring to a boil. Boil for about 1 minute.
    • Remove from heat and steep the vanilla bean and rosemary sprigs in the simple syrup until slightly cooled, about 10 minutes.
    • In a large pitcher, pour lemon juice and syrup mixture, straining with a fine mesh sieve. Discard solids. Mix well.
    • Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until cold.
    • To serve, stir and pour over ice. For an effervescent touch, add a splash of sparkling water. Garnish with lemon and rosemary sprigs if desired.

    Notes

    This recipe was barely adapted from Southern Living.

    « Stuff & Links, Part 2
    Benedictine Spread - A Derby Classic »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alissa Dragun says

      April 29, 2013 at 10:23 pm

      Wow! Hats and all? Beautiful lemonade! Can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    2. Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says

      April 29, 2013 at 11:13 pm

      Although I am SO SO sorry about your poor horse you rooted for, I am glad you gave into your Derby Desires because this lemonade is FANTASTIC! I could sip it every day heehee Derby or no Derby. 🙂

      Reply
    3. CookTheStory says

      April 30, 2013 at 3:47 pm

      I'll take one with bourbon, please! lol. Or how about a Mint Julep and one of these beautiful beverages to wake me up a bit afterwards. Really pretty and sound delicious. The derby party sounds fun! Never watched it before. Tempted now!

      Reply

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    Hi! I'm Dianna. I used to think cooking had to be complicated to be good, so I never considered it "my thing." Now I know that's far from true, and my mission is to create & share easy, mouthwatering recipes - from weeknight dinners to simple bites for entertaining - that anyone can make! Join me in my South Florida kitchen and let's get cooking!

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