Happy and Blessed Beltane! Beltane is one of the many fire festivals, but it is also a time of fertility and healing to the land. On our homestead, we honor Freya, Hecate, Loki, and Sigyn, during this time. While we make our libations and celebrations for a blessed and abundant growing season, we also give thanks for the warm weather, dance with the fire, and welcome healing into
ourselves. Each year we make this spicy and wonderful Beltane lemonade in honor of Loki and the beautiful fire he brings into our lives.
While we are not alcohol drinkers, mostly for health reasons, we still make a drink for Sumbel (a ceremonial toast) and for our festival dinner. This lemonade is wonderful for welcoming the sweets of the season but also has a little fiery kick to remind us of the sun’s warmth. It is also one of our favorite drinks to honor Loki during this fire festival.
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice, about 6-8 lemons (or extras
for slicing for garnish if you wish) - 5 cups water, divided
- 1 pint of blackberries/blueberries/raspberries/strawberries
- 1 jalapeno sliced (seeds and membranes removed if you want
less heat) - 1 small sprig of mint
Instructions
Combine sugar and 2 cups of water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and stir until sugar has dissolved. No need to boil, just dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
Whichever type of berry you choose mash ¼ to ½ of the pint but leave the remaining berries whole.
If you do not like pulp, strain the lemon juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a 2-quart pitcher. If you don’t mind the pulp add it to a 2-quart pitcher. Add the mashed berries, mint, and jalapeno slices. Then add 3 parts of simple syrup and stir to combine. Refrigerate until cold for at least 1 to 2 hours minimum.
When ready to serve, add 3 cups of cold water and stir the remaining whole berries. Taste, and add more water if it’s too sweet, or add the remaining simple syrup if not sweet enough. Add your garnish if you wish and serve.
Even though this drink contains no alcohol you can add some of your choosing that would best suit the recipe and your tastes.
I love making this Beltane lemonade to honor Loki and the rest of our deities. This lemonade is all that embodies our God of laughter and mischief, just sweet enough for his sweet tooth and spicy enough to taste the fire. So grab a glass and dance around the fire for this beautiful holiday! Blessed Beltane from our family to yours!