Nantucket Lemonade

Nantucket lemonade is a bottled mixer. The details on file give the brand and category and nothing else, so expect the profile of a standard lemonade: a bright citrus acidity balanced by sweetness, with a clean lemon aroma and a light, juice-like body. Check the label for the exact sweetener, juice content and any added flavors. This copy assumes a conventional sweet-tart lemonade. Serve it cold, straight from the fridge or over plenty of ice. Chilling helps the sweetness stay crisp and keeps the lemon flavor from tasting flat. Because it already combines sugar and acid, it can stand in for both lemon juice and simple syrup in long drinks. That makes it quick to use when you want a fast highball without squeezing fruit. Build the drink in the glass, pour the lemonade last and stir once, gently, to keep the carbonation if you're pairing it with a sparkling element. It pairs naturally with spirits that benefit from a citrus lift. Vodka and lemonade is the classic two-ingredient version, usually about one part spirit to two or three parts lemonade. Bourbon works well too, since the sweetness of the lemonade suits the vanilla and caramel notes of the whiskey, as in a simple whiskey lemonade. Gin leans herbal and floral against the lemon, and a splash of iced tea turns the same mix into the familiar spiked Arnold Palmer. Tequila blanco with lemonade and a pinch of salt makes a lighter variation on a margarita. For a non-alcoholic option, top it with soda water or muddle in mint or berries. Use a tall highball or collins glass filled with ice for most mixed drinks, so there is room for both the spirit and a generous pour of lemonade. A rocks glass suits stronger builds such as bourbon with a short pour of lemonade. A large wine glass or pitcher works for batches, with lemon wheels and fresh herbs added at the last minute. On food, lemonade suits salty or fried dishes such as chicken, fish and chips, or barbecue, where the acidity cuts through richness. It also goes with grilled seafood, salads with vinaigrette, and light sandwiches.