Summer summer summer time
Time to sit back and unwind…

This is the quintessential summer jam. The song that I pump in my car on hot, dry days, with the sun in my eyes, the air con blasting, and nowhere to go with all the time in the world to get there. That song came out in 1991 – 22 years ago!!! It sounds as good today as it did back then.

It’s not quite summer yet but we’re getting there. And to celebrate the upcoming glorious weather, we’re bringing you food that would be perfect eaten in the sun, on a blanket, on a grassy knoll or a sandy beach. I can’t wait.

So make like the Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff – jump onto some patio furniture on the back of a moving flatbed truck and enjoy this strawberry lemonade. I made mine spiked because, duh, obviously I need a little booze in mah drank. But you can easily omit the alcohol to make this kid friendly.

(Spiked) Strawberry Lemonade (with Mint!)

juice of 6 lemons
1 pound of macerated strawberries
a handful of mint leaves
a 591 mL bottle of ginger ale
3/4 cups simple syrup
3 cups water
1/2 cup white rum (more, less or none to your taste)
ice
lemon slices (optional)

To macerate the strawberries: wash and dry thoroughly. Hull the strawberries and slice in half. Add three tablespoons of sugar and mix. Let sit for thirty minutes until the juices have come out. If you’re not using the strawberries right away, you can store them in the fridge for up to 1 day.

To make simple syrup: place one cup water and one cup sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Allow it to come to a boil. You can swirl the syrup around a bit in the pan to make sure all the sugar crystals have dissolved but you don’t need to stir it. Take it off the heat and allow to cool. If not using right away, store in the fridge. Easy peasy!

Place the strawberries into a pitcher and add the lemon juice, water, ginger ale, simple syrup and rum. To muddle the mint leaves a bit, roll them between the palms of your hands. Add the mint and the ice. Mix together, throw in some lemon slices for the pretty factor, pour and enjoy!
The day I made this, it was grey ‘n windy but sipping this lemonade quickly put me in a summer frame of mind. Plus rum is always a good thing. In fact, I didn’t think I added enough so I just poured some straight into my mug. No biggie.

These flavours work so well together and I love the slight fizz of the ginger ale. The best part is how adaptable this recipe is. You can add or omit as much as you like.
The lovely Katy of Happy Baking Days is hosting our virtual picnic today. Check out all the deliciousness that’s happening up in here:

Salads and Slaws:

• Bacon Ranch Potato Salad from Juanita’s Cocina
• Caprese Spinach Salad from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
• Chicken Chopped Salad from Table for Seven
• Cold Pea Salad  from Shockingly Delicious
• Creamy Potato Salad with Roasted Pears, Cilantro and Romano Cheese from Gourmet Drizzles
• German Potato Salad from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
• Hawaiian Cole Slaw from Curious Cuisiniere
• Italian Chopped Salad from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Kale Pasta Salad from Hip Foodie Mom
• Mediterranean Pasta Salad from Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Mizeria (Polish Cucumber Salad) from From Fast Food to Fresh Food
• PA Dutch Pepper Cabbage from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Pineapple Slaw from I Run For Wine
• Spaghetti Salad from Country Girl in the Village
• Tortellini Pasta Salad from Supper for a Steal

Sandwiches and Mains:

• Avocado Chicken Salad Sandwich from Momma’s Meals
• Caramelized Onion, Goat Cheese, and Tomato Sandwich from Magnolia Days
• Grilled Bratwurst and Onion Open-Face Sandwiches from The Urban Mrs
• Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with Green Goddess Sauce from Foxes Love Lemons
• Herbs-Garlic and Parmesan Croissants from Basic N Delicious
• Indian Spiced Chicken Drumsticks from Soni’s Food
• Japanese Picnic Bento Box from The Ninja Baker
• Mini Chicken Salad, Avocado and Cheese Subs from Big Bear’s Wife
• Moroccan Fried Chicken from MarocMama
• Pepper, Spinach and Goat’s Cheese Quiche from Happy Baking Days
• Picnic Basket Buttermilk Fried Chicken from Noshing with the Nolands
• Salmon in a Jar from Healthy. Delicious.
• Smoked Trout Deviled Eggs from The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Spam Musubi fromKimchi Mom

Desserts:

• Apricot Oat Nut Bars from Pies and Plots
• Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispie Treat Pops from In The Kitchen With KP
• Cocoa Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Fruit Salad from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Fruit Salad with Honey Port Drizzle from Family Foodie
• Loaded Butterscotch Bars from Vintage Kitchen
• Nathan’s Cookies from What Smells So Good?
• Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treat Truffles from Chocolate Moosey
• Shandy Popsicles With Raspberries from Ruffles & Truffles
• Texas Sheet Cake with Pecan Frosting from Food Lust People Love
• Triple Chocolate Punch Bowl Cake from Neighborfood

Drinks:

• Fresh Limeade with Chia Seeds from girlichef
• Pineapple Sangria from Growing Up Gabel
• Strawberry Basil Lemonade from The Messy Baker Blog
• Strawberry Lemonade from Gotta Get Baked
• Top 10 Wines for Picnic #SundaySupper from ENOFYLZ Wine blog
• Watermelon Agua Fresca from Daily Dish Recipes

Don’t forget, you can join the picnic discussion on Twitter throughout the day, where we’ll be tweeting and sharing the recipes. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. To join in, just follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, and remember to include it in your tweets. You can also check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more delicious recipes and photos.

Do you know about the Food & Wine Conference sponsored by Sunday Supper? It is Being held July 19th – 21st in beautiful, sunny Orlando, FL. It’s a must for food bloggers. Find out more here: Food & Wine Conference