Image via WikipediaWhen life gives you lemons, oranges and mandarins ... make some citrusade!

This is one of those easy method sorts of things I like to share from time to time. I love lemonade and orangeade, but really don't care for the excessive sweetness, calories or the chemicals that are often in bottled drinks or mixes. So every so often I will crack out the juicer and make my own. That way I can control sweetness and flavor.

What you'll need:
A pitcher
filtered water
1-2 cups sweetener (sugar, or no calorie alternatives like Splenda, Equal, agave, stevia)
about 10 fresh citrus fruits (lemons, limes, oranges, mandarins, blood oranges)
cutting board & sharp knife
ice
a hand juicer like this one
fresh mint for garnish (optional)

Simple prep:
Cut all your fruit in half. Set aside one half fruit for garnish. You can use all lemons or any combo of fruits that sounds good. I just made a batch with lemons, blood oranges and mandarin oranges. With the juicer inserted into the mouth of the pitcher, place one half of fruit in right side up. Squeeze firmly and flip the fruit over and squeeze again.  Add cold water, ice and 1/2 cup of sweetener. Stir and taste. Add water or sweetener as needed until you get the balance of flavor and sweet that appeals to you. Grab that reserved fruit half and slice into thin rings. Garnish each glass with fruit and a bit of fresh mint.

That's it. Cool, refreshing and calorie & chemical free!

If you don't drink it right away, it will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Extra tip - if you run the squeezed fruit halves (especially the lemons) through your garbage disposal with warm running water it does a nice job of both cleaning and freshening the disposal.