Grocery shopping is seriously one of the highlights of my life. That may sound pathetic, but for some reason it is just very therapeutic and relaxing to me. I love leisurely strolling the isles looking for new ingredients to play around with. I get time to think. Time to let my creative mind wander. Time to relax.
To be honest, I would much rather go grocery shopping by myself than with anyone else. Most people see it as a chore, not as an event. Get in, get what you need, get out. However, my husband frequently insists that we do this together. I’m sure that it is partially to spend time together, but I am totally aware that it is mainly to keep me under control with the budget 
I admit, this can be a challenge for me at times with all of the recipes creations rolling around in my brain.
But occasionally he surprises me and embraces the shopping creativity himself. Like this weekend. We were at the store just picking up a few things for dinner and my husband grabs some lemons and excitedly requests that we make some homemade lemonade. He then spotted the cherries and asked if it would be possible to put them together into a Cherry Lemonade.
I love seeing him getting excited about new food ventures, even if they are simple. I quickly agreed that I would figure it out. I also had the cherry infused rum in mind that has been sitting in my fridge since my boozy ice cream post as the perfect pair for this concoction!
I would say this was a “when life gives you lemons” moment, in a very literal sense. And though this was a more sweet than sour moment spent with my husband, we encounter many sour moments every week. Sometimes just work in general can feel sour, or like life giving you lemons. But I have been working very hard to “make lemonade” each day, figuratively speaking. When I can truly do this, life is a whole lot less stressful and a heck of a lot more enjoyable. Happy mid week hump everyone! Make some lemonade today, figuratively AND literally!
- 5-7 large lemons or 8-10 small lemons
- 1 cup cherries, stems removed
- ½-3/4 cup honey to taste (can sub other sweetener of choice)
- 2 cups water
- sparkling water, or 1 more cup regular water
- 4 oz Cherry Lemonade (see recipe above)
- 1 oz cherry infused spiced rum (see below)
- splash of sparkling water
- Heat water and honey in a saucepan over low heat until it dissolves into the water. Set aside to cool.
- Juice enough lemons to 1 cup of juice.
- Place cherries with pits in a blender. Drain juice through a fine sieve to remove pieces of pits and pulp.
- Combine water/honey mixture with lemon juice and cherry juice and put in the refrigerator to chill until ready to use.
- Serve over ice with a splash of sparkling water if using. If you choose not to use sparkling water, heat the honey in step 1 with 3 cups of water instead of 2.
- Shake cherry lemonade and spiced rum in a shaker with ice.
- Pour over ice in a rocks glass.
- Top with a splash of sparkling water.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge and a cherry.
- Enjoy with a summer sunset!
- Place 1 cup of cherries in a small bowl and pour in enough spiced rum to cover the cherries.
- Let cherries soak for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
- Strain off liquid into a container and keep in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Keep cherries for garnish
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Well I am told that the sun is going to appear in the UK this weekend – so I think some of these drinks will definitely be on the menu!
Your photos are just beautiful!
FABULOUS!
This sounds great! I will definitely make make it!
I’m heading to the lake today.. where my market awaits and I’m certain there’ll be fresh cherries! I’ll be trying these.. probably the one with rum first since we are on holidays!!
YAY Barbara! Let me know what you think. My husband never drinks because he hates the taste of alcohol and he thought this was really good!
i want i want i want!
You’re SO VERY MUCH one of the most delicious blogs that I follow. YUM!
I see grocery shopping as an event also, and really enjoy it! Jason and I have fun when we shop together, but I also like going solo.
I have so many cherries right now, these will be made! lovely photos as well, thanks for sharing!
Awesome Spabettie! Let me know what you think.
Yes, please!
Great post (and imagination)! I’m a big fan of grocery shopping: its a creative endeavor, and I find it so relaxing! I have been known to go to the grocery just to settle my stress! Glad to know that there is a kindred spirit here…
Right on! Sometimes I just think to myself, “Alright today was a total fail, and I just NEED to go grocery shopping!” Ha.
Budgets are good! However, the fact that life still hasn’t given me lemons isn’t
. This cocktail sounds amazing.
Reblogged this on Lemon Salt and commented:
I am on vacation but just received this lovely post from Baker Betty, perfect for sharing with its refreshing photography and writing! Now if only I could grasp that tall icy glass of cherry rum infused lemonade right off the screen…
Betty this looks absolutely refreshing, would love one just about now.
Sounds delicious, great photos too!
I fill the sama way when shopping food!
Love you blogue and ty«his fantastic limonade!
Lovely, and I have lemons in the garden now… unfortunately no cherries, in New Zealand is winter…
and lovely pic, pinned!
Ciao
Alessandra
Aww man. Could you find cherry juice in the grocery store? That would work too! With this non stop 100 degree heat, I wouldn’t mind a little winter about now.
I love grocery shopping too! Trying to make lemonade when life gives you lemons is sometimes tough, but I agree that doing so makes life so much better. Lovely blog!
Thank so much Candy! I think it is definitely a skill to find the brighter side. Takes a lot of practice!
This looks so tasty! I’m on my way to the farmer’s market where I will look for the cherries – I alreay have the lemons. Mr. Picky-eater will love it. particularly since it is so hot here……..rock chalk!
Whoa! Did an Oklahoma girl just say Rock Chalk to me? Not that I’m complaining…
Hope you find some cherries! This is so delicious, especially with the rum!
I’m from Oklahoma and lots of my money went to OU but, I went to KU MC!
Found some!
I too love wandering around the aisles of a supermarket looking at all the ingredients and their possibilities in the kitchen! What a beautiful cocktail… makes you feel very relaxed looking at it!
This lemonade and a view of that sunset would set every day right.. ok, maybe I shouldn’t indulge every day, but this sure looks so quenching and pretty!! xx
How much does this make?!