Portokalada (Fresh Homemade Orangeade)

The Cypriot Refreshing drink!

Portokalada (Orangeade) is well known in Cypriot hospitality as a refreshing welcoming drink at home offered to guests at home all year round. When Portokalada prepared, can be kept for several days in a refrigerator and then dissolved with cold water. Portokalada may be served with Halloumi Cheese pie, Eliopita-Olive pie, Kourabiedes, Melomakarona or as you prefer!

Prep time	Cook time	Total time	Difficulty Degree	Serves
10 minutes	5 minutes	15 minutes	Easy	6-8 large cocktail glasses

Yield: 1/2 liter of concentrate Portokalada(Orangeade) to be dissolved with cold water.

You will need:

350ml.(2 cups) of fresh orange juice (from 5-6 medium size oranges preferably organic)
1 cup freshly filtered water
1 cup sugar (200gr.)

Preparation:

1.Put water and sugar in a saucepan and boil for 5 minutes to form a thick syrop.

2. Leave it to cool and add the orange juice-passed through a fine sieve.

3. Put the mixture in the refrigerator.
4. When ready to serve just add 50-70 ml. of the mixture in a juice glass and fill with cold water/ice cubes.

Tip of the Chef

Garnish with a slice of orange on the lips of the glass.

Alternatively, you can also put in the mixture some water and the rest ice cubes, blend in a blender to have an orange granite for the hot summer days! (use only with a blender supporting ice crashing function)

You can also put sparkling water for a carbonated orangeade!

Tip of the Nutritionist

Oranges are rich in Vitamin C.

For a calorie free-healthier lemonade and suitable for people with diabetes, you can replace sugar with Stevia-natural sweetener and blend all ingredients together.
Also instead of sugar you can replace with half cup of honey.