Young entrepreneurs practiced their business skills in a lemonade-making affair held April 8 at Pearlridge Center.

The annual Lemonade Alley contest brought out six teams of kids who pitched their lemonade businesses to judges and competed for sales among mall shoppers.

Profits from drink sales totaling $5,000 went to charities chosen by the teams.

A $1,000 prize went to a winning team in each of three age divisions, based on taste, sales and business presentation.

Lemonade Alley is sponsored by Pearlridge Center and the Biz­Gym Foundation, which teaches financial and philanthrophic skills.

The winners and their recipes:

Kindergarten to grade 4: Waianae Squeezees

Kyra Broome, Diesel Kapahu, Kaimi Nomura, Peyton Tapat, Kaylee Young (Waianae Elementary School). Charity: Boys and Girls Club Waianae Clubhouse

• 1 quart strawberry lemonade (from store-bought powder)
• 3 quarts lemonade (from store-bought powder)
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 12 large fresh strawberries, pureed
• Garnish: Mix of equal parts white sugar and li hing powder

Combine ingredients; chill at least 2 hours.

Wet rim of each cup and dip in sugar- li hing mixture. Serve lemonade over crushed ice.

Grades 5 to 8: Unicorn PopStars’ Unicorn Magic

Kayla Luke Colon, Isabella Luke Kalani, Rhys Yamonaha (Punahou School). Charity: Make-A-Wish Hawaii

• 1-1/2 cups chopped watermelon
• Juice of 4 organic lemons
• 2 cups water
• 1 quart heavy whipping cream
• 3/4 cup sugar
• Mint leaves, for garnish
• >> Galanga-Mint Simple syrup:
• 1 tablespoon chopped galanga (also called galangal or Thai ginger)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 20 mint leaves (chopped)

To make simple syrup: Mix all ingredients in a small pot and simmer on low 10-15 minutes. Cool, then strain.

Blend watermelon; strain. Combine with lemon juice; add water and simple syrup.

Whip cream and sugar until soft peaks form.

Pour lemonade over ice and top with whipped cream and a sprig of mint.

Grades 9 to 12: Hawaiian Hammahs

Kayla Malta, Lila Smith (‘Iolani School), Lincoln Naki (Kawananakoa Middle School). Charity: Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii.

• 3 cups sugar
• 3 cups hot water
• 7 cups cold water
• 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 cup fresh watermelon juice (from blended watermelon cubes)

Combine sugar with hot water, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add cold water, lemon juice and watermelon juice. Shake until well-blended. Chill and serve over ice.

Nutritional information unavailable