A student from Jiangsu University in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province receives a cup of hot lemonade at the school canteen on Dec 11. [Photo/jstv.com]

Students and teachers from Jiangsu University (JSU) in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province were served nearly 2,000 cups of hot lemon tea and lemonade on Dec 11 to help them drive away chill, local media reported.

The heart-warming drinks were made from 1,361 lemons, which were won by the students during a campaign launched by Sino Weibo in September to help boost the sales of unmarketable agricultural products in underdeveloped areas.

The campaign engaged students from 104 colleges in Shanghai and provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guizhou, and winning school of each region can carve up the award of 10,000 lemons. JSU stood out with 63,612 votes as the highest in Jiangsu, winning 1,361 lemons.

The drinks were served at lunch time of that day. Students who finished their meals and clean plates can get a free cup of hot lemon tea or lemonade.

"Lemons are all processed on site and we have also prepared honey and black tea as seasonings," said director of the school's logistics department.

The drinks gained high recognition from the students as many of them shared the touching moment on their social platforms.

"The campaign is so meaningful that my support to farmers and agriculture paid off with nice drinks," said Li Jialing, a postgraduate.

Staff members busy prepare for lemon drinks. [Photo/jstv.com]