Skip to Content

Albaicin Lemonade – A Summertime Tradition in Granada

Albaicin Lemonade – A Summertime Tradition in Granada

Albaicin Lemonade

Although it may not be so familiar now, a glass of Albaicin lemonade is an old tradition in summers of years gone by. It´s a refreshing spritzer style drink, like a fruit punch with apple in it. An ideal drink for the long hot days of July and August in Granada. 

Also known as ´Limonada Granadina´ it´s not just lemonade. This recipe was popular in the Albaicin quarter of Granada. Made of white wine, lemons and apple.  It turns out that this drink has been popular with locals since 1967.

Typically made at 8pm on Saturdays throughout summer, this tradition lasted throughout the seventies and all the neighbour would enjoy the drinks and company until midnight on those evenings. 

Lemons in Andalucia Spanish Fruit

Summer Drinks

Made every Saturday evening throughout the long summer. A large amount was prepared in a bar of the Albaicin. (Close to Calle Agua) They would take it in a huge pan, carried along by a group of neighbours, through the cobbled streets. From the Plaza Larga along to the Mirador de San Nicolas. To enjoy the open spaces and views over to the Alhambra palace.

Generalife Sunset Alhambra FEX Festival

 

It reminded of a time a few years ago when I went to the Mirador de Morayma restaurant in the Albaicin area. They kindly gave me a book of traditional recipes called ¨Ritual de la Cocina Albaycinera” by Mariano Cruz Romero. Originally published in the eighties. The book details recipes and traditions of the Albaicin´s gastronomy, of course information about Granada lemonade appeared too.

typical in Granada

This tradition at San Nicolas Square has faded away as far as I know.  I came across this drink at a Family run hotel in Lanjaron Hotel Alcadima – Lanjaron so I thought I would share the recipe.

Make your own Albaicin Lemonade

You will need:

  • Large jug or bowl
  • 1 litre of chilled white wine
  • Ice cubes
  • 1 lemon 
  • 1 apple
  • 200 gr of Sugar
  • Mint leaves (optional)

Method:

Chill the White Wine beforehand.

Add the wine to the bowl/pan. Now cut up the apple and pop into the bowl. (Sometimes sliced banana was also used). Grate off some of the lemon rind into the pan. Juice the lemon and add to the bowl too. Sweeten with 200 grams of sugar (or the amount you prefer to taste) Add the ice cubes (not too many)

Albaicin Lemonade by piccavey

 

More about the Albaicin quarter here: A walk around the Albaicin

 

  1. Carole says:

    Thanks very much Molly, your website is great. Just booked for june for 3 days bringing my sister – I live in Alicante but am in love with Andalucia and go to any of the cities as often as I can! Will try your recommendations on bars, reataurants etc……
    Are there any ‘local fiestas’ 16-19 June? Great help, keep going chica!
    Carole x

    • Molly says:

      Hello Carole,
      In Granada the big fiestas are Cruces de Mayo (May Crosses) first weekend in May and Corpus Christi 25th June. The Feria is on for the Corpus week and it´s the biggest celebration of the year in Granada´s calendar.
      In Malaga they have their feria at the end of the summer.

      Saying this May and June is a wonderful time to visit Andalusia, there are also Flamenco festivals on during these months and spring has a special feel to the place

      hope this helps

  2. […] There’s much more informationon https://www.piccavey.com/granada-lemonade-a-traditional-albaicin-drink/ […]

  3. […] En mi viaje a Granada paramos a descansar y comer allí, y sus dueños nos enseñaron todos los rincones del hotel. También nos ofrecieron un show cooking de varios platos de cocina local granadina que cuando lo recuerdo mis glándulas salivares se activan automáticamente. Gonzalo Rodríguez se puso detrás de los fogones y con maestría y mucho saber hacer nos cocinó auténticas exquisiteces. Mientras su hija Amanda nos entretenía con explicaciones y respuestas a todas nuestras dudas y comentarios. Recuerdo con mucha añoranza unas sardinas amoragadas estupendas, entre otros muchos platos. Para saciar la sed Gonzalo se encargó de preparar en un periquete una limoná granaina riquísima. Mi amiga Molly explica su preparación y comparte la receta. […]

  4. […] se encargó de preparar en un periquete una limoná granaina riquísima. Mi amiga Molly explica su preparación y comparte la receta. La piscina, uno de los mejores espacios del hotel Detalle de la […]

  5. Jessica says:

    That sounds like a lovely summer drink! I’ll have to try it out, thanks for the recipe.

  6. Mo says:

    Just what I´ve been looking for! It sounds fab and with a long history too. Great post – off to get the ingredients together, thanks!

  7. Sue Sharpe says:

    Lovely ! I’m going to try that recipe later – I may (finally) have found a use for my home-made pea-pod wine! Thanks for sharing x

Comments are closed.