You Can Quench Your Thirst in the Most Unexpected Places

Recently, I was in New York for a few days and – no surprise – it was muggy, hot, and absolutely packed with people. I love all of that. I love the energy, I love the noise, I am an unashamed people-watcher. But somewhere around 30,000 steps, with what I can only describe as a shopping back (that particular brand of lower-back protest that arrives after a long day of walking and carrying bags), I desperately needed four things: air conditioning, a seat, a bathroom, and a cold drink.

If you’ve spent any time in New York, you’ll know it has a way of tricking you into walking 30,000 steps before you’ve even noticed. It’s a gift and a curse.

I spotted a Macy’s – two of my four requirements sorted immediately. On the way to the bathroom, I caught a glimpse from the corner of my eye: a little café, open seats, air conditioning, and a view of the Empire State Building. In a hot second, we sat down and ordered a lemon drink from the menu.

It was extraordinary. Bright, cold, perfectly balanced – exactly what 30,000 steps in the New York heat demands. I asked the waiter if he could get the recipe from the bartender. He came back with a vague list that was, shall we say, lost in translation. So, I ordered another one. Purely for research purposes.

Back home in Arizona – which is considerably hotter than New York, without the benefit of 30,000 steps to justify it – I set about recreating it. My version is not the same as the original. But in the true spirit of La Limone, it is quick, easy, refreshing, and delicious. And you don’t need to walk anywhere near 30,000 steps to earn it.

Sparkling Lemonade Spritzer

Makes 1 cocktail

• 1 martini glass, prechilled if possible
• 2 medium ice cubes
• 1 lemon
• 1 oz limoncello
• 1 oz prosecco
• 2 oz lemon-flavoured sparkling soda

Place the ice cubes in the bottom of the glass. Squeeze the juice from half the lemon over the ice, then add the limoncello, prosecco, and lemon soda. Take the other half of the lemon and create your garnish – a few small wedges, a twist of peel, or a thin slice placed on the rim. Serve immediately.

Sparkling Lemonade Mocktail

Makes 1 mocktail – all the zing, no alcohol.

• 1 martini glass, prechilled if possible
• 2 ice cubes
• 1 lemon
• Lemon-flavoured sparkling soda water

Place the ice cubes in the glass. Squeeze the juice from half the lemon over the ice. Top with lemon sparkling water. Garnish with a wedge, a twist, or a thin slice of the remaining lemon half.

The La Limone Philosophy

Some of the best recipes come from a moment of desperation and a willingness to order something twice. Both books – La Limone: Recipes and Stories from a Life Well Zested and La Limone Kitchen Cookbook – are full of recipes that began exactly this way: a flavour I encountered somewhere, couldn’t let go of, and had to figure out for myself. That’s the whole La Limone approach. You don’t need a professional kitchen. You just need curiosity, good ingredients, and occasionally, a very hot day.

Find both books at lalimone.com or on Amazon.

Over to You:

What’s your go-to drink when summer heat gets the better of you? And have you ever tracked down a recipe after falling in love with it somewhere unexpected? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments.