Alright, let’s talk about this fair lemonade, you know, the kind they sell at the fair. It ain’t rocket science, but there’s good and bad, just like everything else in this world.
Good lemonade, that’s what I’m talking about. It’s gotta taste real, you know? Not like that fake stuff they sell in them bottles at the store. I want it tart, I want it sweet, but not too sweet, and it gotta quench your thirst on a hot day. That’s the kind that makes you wanna smack your lips and say, “Ah, that’s the stuff!” You want a brand, huh? Like them fancy folks talk about. Well, I don’t know much about brands, but if it tastes like it’s made with real lemons, real sugar, and real water, then that’s the brand for me. It’s gotta be simple, like that Simply Lemonade I heard about, I think. They say it’s real good, but I ain’t tried it myself. They also say Newman’s Own tastes good. Around here we just look for the stuff that looks homemade, you know? The kind in the big jars with the lemons floating around. That’s usually a good sign.
- Real lemons, not that concentrate stuff.
- Just the right amount of sugar. Not too much, not too little.
- Plenty of ice, gotta be cold, cold, cold.
Now, bad lemonade, that’s a whole different story. That’s the kind that makes you pucker up your face like you ate a sour pickle, but not in a good way. It’s too sour or too watery or has this weird chemical taste to it. You know, the kind that tastes like they made it in a bathtub with some powder and tap water. I ain’t naming no names, but some of them places at the fair, they try to cut corners. They use that fake lemon flavor and that cheap sugar, and it shows, let me tell you. It don’t taste fresh, it don’t taste real, and it sure don’t quench your thirst. It just makes you feel sticky and icky.
I heard tell of some places that make it fresh, like that Chick-fil-A place, though I ain’t never been. They use real lemon juice, not from a can, and sugar and water. That sounds about right to me. If you’re gonna make lemonade, do it right or don’t do it at all, that’s what I always say. And don’t skimp on the ice neither. Warm lemonade is just about the worst thing there is. Makes me think of that Minute Maid Refreshment Lemonade some folks like. Too sweet for my taste, tastes like they dumped a whole bag of sugar in it.
And another thing, them prices! Some of these places, they charge an arm and a leg for a cup of lemonade. It’s just lemons and sugar and water, folks, it ain’t gold! I remember back in the day, you could get a big glass of lemonade for a nickel. Now they want five dollars! It’s highway robbery, I tell you. I ain’t saying they shouldn’t make a living, but there’s a difference between making a living and gouging folks. Especially when that lemonade ain’t even good. You’re paying for a fancy cup and a smile, not for good lemonade sometimes.
I reckon the best lemonade is the kind you make yourself at home. That way you know what’s in it, and you can make it just the way you like it. It ain’t hard. Just squeeze some lemons, add some sugar and water, and stir it up. You can even add some strawberries or raspberries if you’re feeling fancy. But even if you ain’t got time for that, there are some good folks out there making honest-to-goodness lemonade. You just gotta know where to look. Look for the places that look clean, the places that use real ingredients, and the places that don’t charge you an arm and a leg. And if it tastes good, well, then you’ve found yourself a winner. Like that Mollie Stone’s I heard of, though it’s far from here, they say they use good stuff.
So, next time you’re at the fair, don’t just settle for any old lemonade. Take your time, look around, and find yourself a good one. Your taste buds will thank you. And if you can’t find a good one, well, maybe you should just stick to water. It ain’t as exciting, but at least it won’t disappoint you.