1 cup water 1 cup sugar 1 T lemon zest 1 cup fresh lemon juice (6 to 8 lemons) 2 quarts water In a saucepan combine the sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil and cook just until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the lemon zest and set aside to cool to room temperature. When cool, refrigerate until ready to use. This is the lemon simple syrup. Strain before using. For the lemonade, mix the lemon juice (strained or not), 1 cup of the simple syrup and the 2 quarts of water (or 1 1/2 quarts of water and 2 cups ice). Stir and serve. Garnish if desired with thin slices of lemon. For a special glass of lemonade, mix the 1 cup of simple syrup with the 1 cup of lemon juice. Measure 1/4 cup of the mixture into a glass, add ice and fill with sparkling water. Garnish with a lemon slice. Fizzy Lemonade! Make extra and freeze in ice cube trays for use in your drinks to prevent them from becoming diluted as the ice melts. For Pink Lemonade, add about 3 teaspoons of Grenadine or to desired color. |
