KAYSVILLE — A refreshing hint of mint permeates the air as Holly Eaton-Jacobsen crushes green mint leaves between her gloved palms. She prepares the mint to place on top of a glass of her freshly squeezed lemonade.
When Eaton-Jacobsen makes lemonade during farmers’ markets, fairs or parties she does it by pressing the lemons and limes in an antique juicer.
More than a year ago, Eaton-Jacobsen stood in line for 45 minutes to purchase a drink at a farmers market.
“(That) drink was not super yummy so I had to fix that issue,” she explained. “I hadn’t seen anybody make lemonade the old-fashioned way.”
As she was taking her kids swimming one day, and she had her backpack, they were traveling on the bus. When the bus stopped in Bountiful, she saw an antique shop and went inside to see if they had any old-time juicers.
One had just come in.
“This is just like Cinderella because the sun was shining on it like a glass slipper,” Eaton-Jacobsen said.
She bought her first antique citrus squeezer.
“I took the kids swimming and then bought a bag of lemons and a bag of limes,” she said.
Eaton-Jacobsen soon learned to make a delicious refreshing drink that she could sell at farmers’ markets.
Holly’s Homemade 4-U was born.
Last summer, it took her two weeks to make it to market.
“I picked this market because it is cute and close and they didn’t have (a lemonade stand),” Eaton-Jacobsen said of the Utah State University Botanical Center’s Farmers Market in Kaysville.
She later began selling lemonade at the Wasatch Farmers Market in Salt Lake City. It wasn’t easy or profitable at first. There were days she earned just $40.
“It is so much fun,” Eaton-Jacobsen said. “I am happy people love it.”
Eaton-Jacobsen didn’t even own a car when she started her business. She had to rent something to carry her fruit and equipment to events. She quoted the director of the farmers’ market in SLC who said, “Look how far you have come from last year.”
Eaton-Jacobsen now has her own transportation, which she calls “Mini Wini.”
She has now made drinks at four charities and several fundraisers.
“People keep asking me to do more,” Eaton-Jacobsen said.
“It is a way cool experience,” Holly said. “I make a really mean Arnold Palmer (A drink made with tea and fresh lemonade). People love that I dress up my drinks.”
And dress them up she does.
Eaton-Jacobsen squeezes the lemons and limes an old-fashioned way — right in front of the customers. Before pouring the juice, water and ice into the glasses she dips the edge of the glass into raw sugar which not only adds to the looks but it tastes good.
She grows her own mint, as well, so it is as fresh as she can get it. Eaton-Jacobsen buys most of the fruit from a produce business in SLC and often barters for fresh peaches at the farmers’ markets so she can place a small piece on top of the drink along with the mint. Sometimes, she puts fresh berries on top, but there is always mint.
“Her lemonade is delicious,” said Britney Hunter, who works with the USU Horticulture Extension.
“Last year when she came to the farmers’ market the manager said it was fun to have her here. When she drove up in the Mini Wini I knew she was pretty special,” Hunter said.
Eaton-Jacobsen likes taking her four daughters along with her to help at times.
“I love the farmers’ markets because of the atmosphere. It teaches the kids variety and how to barter,” she said.
Dressed in her black and white floral apron Eaton-Jacobsen often sings and chats with the shoppers to make them feel welcome.
Other places she has served the lemonade this summer include Gardner Village and Wheeler Farm. Holly’s Homemade 4-U hand-squeezed lemon and lime drinks can also be found at family reunions, birthday and anniversary parties, weddings, and business events.
Anyone interested in inviting Eaton-Jacobsen to a function may contact her at hollyshomemade4u@gmail.com or 801-390-8186.
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