What about Italian lemonade? First, a bit of clarification. In Chicago, we have a high caloric delicacy called Italian Beef. In Chicago, there are Italian beef stands that sell wonderful sandwiches of very thin sliced beef which has been marinating in spicy beef gravy. The gravy is integral to the sandwich. One option when ordering is whether you want the bun ‘dipped’ in the gravy or not. Most folks think it tastes better dipped. It’s just a little sloppier to handle and eat.
Although these are called Italian beef sandwiches they are only sold in Chicago. Perhaps they should be called Chicago Italian beef sandwiches. Or, maybe Chicago beef sandwiches. It just so happens that they are sold at Italian beef stands.
Anyway, oftentimes, very near the Italian beef stands there is an Italian lemonade stand. As a Chicagoan, I am very familiar with them. However, I don’t know if they exist outside Chicago. Italian lemonade is a soft sherbet-like treat that is slightly more firm than slush, far less firm than frozen sherbet or ice cream.
I saw the recipe for lemon ice in the Vita-Mix cookbook for my old Model 5000 machine and tried it. I was very excited to think that I might be able to duplicate the lemonade that I had loved as a child from Italian lemonade stands here.
Here is the recipe from Vita-Mix:
3/4 cup (180 ml) water
1 lemon, peeled, quartered, seeded
1 teaspoon lemon peel
1/4 cup (50 g) sugar or other sweetener, to taste
2 cups (480 ml) ice cubes
1. Place all ingredients into the Vita-Mix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Use the tamper to press ingredients into the blades.
5. In about 30-60 seconds, the sound of the motor will change and four mounds should form.
6. Stop machine. Do not over mix or melting will occur. Serve immediately.
Nutrition facts for 1/2 cup serving: 35 calories, No fat or cholesterol. 1 mg sodium, 9 grams of carbohydrate, no fiber or protein.
Bottom line on the taste: Super! Just like the Italian lemonade stands. This is an awesome hot weather low calorie treat. It tastes fantastic right out of the Vita-Mix machine. If you make more than you want to eat you can freeze it to eat later. Is that a Mr. Lazy Cook dream recipe, or what?
In case it isn’t obvious, I am thoroughly enjoying my new Vita-Mix machine.
Tony
Other Vita Mix recipe posts include:
How to Vita Mix a Low Cal Copy of the Jamba Juice Orange Dream Machine,
Vita Mix – Drinking a Watermelon
Vita Mix – Hot Chicken Soup
Vita Mix – Another Green Smoothie
A St. Patrick’s Day Green Smoothie – Vita-Mix
Vita-Mix – Cold Peach Summer Smoothie
Vita-Mix – Cold Green Soup
Vita-Mix – Green Smoothies
Vita-Mix – Watermelon Sorbet Recipe
Vita-Mix – Garden Fresh Cocktail
Wellness Secrets of a SuperAger 
Italian lemonade, sounds interesting. I think it’s worth a try, 🙂 My kids love lemonades and I figured that if they love the lemonade pops I did the other day, they would probably dig this, too. 🙂
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It’s super. If you do try it, please drop us a line. We would love to know how it worked out for you.
Tony
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Pingback: Vita Mix – Drinking a Watermelon « Two Regular Guys Talking about Food, Exercise and Men's Health
Isn’t there a chocolate Italian ice as well? I seem to recall getting one from a street vendor back in the 80’s. Anybody have a recipe for really good Chocolate Italian Ice? Thanks.
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Not that I know of, but I am kind of a purist. I only eat the lemon variety and sometimes the watermelon flavored one.
Tony
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Yes there was Chocolate Italian Ice. When I was a child I would get it from the ice cream truck that would go through our neighborhood as well as little stands on the boardwalk and such that would sell it.
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Wow! Thanks! I have an Italian ice stand that I go to in my neighborhood. They make it themselves. I guess they never got the recipe for chocolate. Their watermelon flavor is awesome.
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Hi!
I just came across your recipe, trying to find one for italian ice like Johnnies in Elmwood Park. It was great! Slushier than Johnnies, but just stuck it in the freezer to see what will happen. The same flavor is there (I’m so excited), just not the consistency. I just got a Vitamix 2 days ago and am already crazy about it:) Thanks!
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HI, Jen, nice to hear from you. I am a big Italian Ice fan, too. Ready for the one on Taylor St. in Chicago to open with the warm weather. Glad you liked it.
The Vita-mix is awesome, isn’t it?
Don’t be a stranger.
Tony
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i just made this and loved it!!! but i had to double the amount of ice, I added at least 4 cups becasue it was too runny with 2 cups. Did i do something wrong? I also usede Agave instead of sugar. I love my vitamix, just got it for Christmas. Thanks for the recipe
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Great recipe! I tried making it with frozen mixed berries after trying the original one posted and they came out great also. I just added a few handfuls of berries, a bit less than 3/4c sugar (although I could’ve added even less as it was a bit sweet for my taste) and kept the lemon peel and also added some to the top.
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LC –
Glad you liked it and thanks for your input. You sound creative. The frozen mixed berries are a nice touch.
Thanks for your comment.
Tony
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