Energy drinks are a popular way to replace a morning cup of coffee, perk up in the afternoon, or recharge after a workout. But buying energy drinks regularly can get expensive, and there are many different recipes you can use to make your own drinks at home for a fraction of the price.
There are different types of energy drinks you can make, including caffeine-based ones, electrolyte-based sports drinks, and energy-boosting coconut water drinks.
Rinse the lemons under running water and scrub the peel with a vegetable brush or cloth. Pat the lemons dry. Use a vegetable or citrus peeler to remove the yellow zest. Avoid removing the white pith, as this is very bitter. Transfer the zest to a small ceramic or metal bowl.
You can also use a sharp knife to zest the lemons if you don’t have a vegetable peeler. You can use any type or combination of citrus zest in place of the lemon, such as a combination of orange and grapefruit.
Combine the sugar and lemon zest. Pour the sugar into the bowl with the lemon zest and stir the mixture to coat the zest with sugar. Pound the zest gently with a pestle or muddler for about five minutes. This will help the citrus to release its oils. After five minutes of muddling, set the bowl aside and let the zest marinate in the sugar for an hour. The citrus oil and sugar mixture liquid this will produce is called oleo-saccharum, which was often used in cocktails in the nineteenth century.
