Monsieur Limonade: local brand crafting authentic artisanal lemonade
Tashi Farmilo
A family-owned business in a vibrant corner of the Aylmer Farmers Market is causing a stir with their zesty venture. Monsieur Limonade is an artisanal lemonade brand that emerged from a local family’s desire for more quality time together. Seeking to spend weekends differently, they decided to sell their home-made lemonade at markets.
What sets Monsieur Limonade apart from other lemonade brands on the market is its commitment to simplicity and superior quality. Unlike traditional pasteurization methods that compromise taste and nutrients, they use a high-pressure process to preserve the freshness and nutritional benefits of their ingredients. This innovation allows them to create lemonades free from artificial additives, preservatives, or colorings.
At the heart of Monsieur Limonade's philosophy lies the use of only 3 to 4 essential ingredients in their lemonades. This pared-down approach ensures a focus on the quality of each component, with fresh seasonal fruit from local producers, lemon juice from the food industry, natural spring water, and organic cane sugar.
To achieve exceptional taste, Monsieur Limonade is meticulous in selecting the finest ingredients. They opt for wild blueberry juice from Bleu Sauvage, strawberries from Saveurs des Monts and Jardin Rochon sourced from local farmers' markets to reduce food waste while maintaining the freshness of their lemonades. The recent investment in a new machine for preparing strawberry juice streamlines the process. Additionally, their partnership with Les Fruits du Sommet for raspberry juice reflects their commitment to authentic, regional flavours.
Working closely with local Quebec producers is vital for Monsieur Limonade. Beyond supporting the regional economy and promoting sustainable agriculture, this collaboration guarantees the freshness and exceptional quality of their ingredients. The proximity to local sources allows them to select the best seasonal fruit for their lemonades, creating unique flavors while respecting the natural cycles of the fruit. Moreover, this eco-responsible approach reduces their carbon footprint and contributes to a cleaner environment.
Excitingly, Monsieur Limonade has partnered with 5th Baron, a local brewery in Aylmer, to create a delightful Shandy that blends their refreshing lemonade with craft beer. This perfect combination is sure to de-stress summer evenings and captivate taste buds with its fusion of flavours.
Since 2009, Monsieur Limonade has been passionately sharing their artisanal lemonades at public markets. Visitors can catch them in Wakefield and Plateau on Saturdays and Aylmer on Sundays.
Photo caption: A refreshing twist on entrepreneurship: The family-owned business, Monsieur Limonade, creates a buzz with their zesty venture.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Monsieur Limonade