Del's Lemonade

So slushy and awesome I had to have a second! I got the watermelon and blueberry flavors, along with a hot dog. Older lady who served us was super sweet too.

Perfect drink for a warm and sunny day.

Tasty lemon slush. Del's uses real lemons.

There's lemon pieces in the slush. Lots of flavor.

Sip it, don't use a straw.

I am a very happy camper now that there's a Del's Frozen Lemonade in Cohasset.  I grew up with this delicious lemon slush during summers in RI and I still think there's nothing quite as good and refreshing on a hot day.

It's simply made with slushed ice, lemon juice, lemon rind and sugar.
One of my favorite parts is getting the slivers of the lemon rind in a scoop
And for me another key feature is not only that it's all natural but that it's not too sweet.  The taste of real lemon shines through.

Del's has gone all fancy now and has a plethora of flavors besides lemon.  But I'm a traditionalist and get nothing but the lemon.  I think there is nothing as parched-throat-quenching as one of these lemon slushes.

From the web, I've recently learned that this idea started humbly in 1840 in Naples Italy by a man named Mr. DeLucia (hence the future company name "DeL's".)  
Apparently,  during the winter, he carried snow into caves where he covered and insulated it with straw.
When summer arrived, I guess that straw insulation really did the trick as the snow was still intact enabling Mr. DeLucia to mix it with fresh lemon juice and a little sugar.  A tasty treat was born.
Neopolitans must have been thrilled. Summers are HOT in Naples.

If you've ever been to southern Italy, you'll remember just how beautiful and delicious the local lemons are.  This early lemon ice must have been really fantastic.

Years later, Mr. DeLucia's son brought this recipe to Cranston, RI where he'd settled after leaving Italy.  He started selling it with one lone stand.  Later, the operation spread to more stands and then to the the trucks.
Growing up, I remember both stands and trucks dotted throughout Rhode Island.  Stopping for a cup was a wonderful thing.

Fast forward, this simple idea has really grown over the years and include brick and mortar establishments all over New England and in other states too.
I think this shows what a winner of an idea this was and how good the product is.

I'm so happy this store is in my neighborhood.  I've been here a lot this summer.
I'd give 5 stars except, at least in the Cohasset shop, I think the prices are too high..

I've also heard there's now a Del's in Hull.  You can also get it on Saturdays at the Hingham Farmer's Market.
Look for the logo that hasn't changed since the company started.  It's a beautiful thing.