Old-Fashioned Lemonade

Ingredients

Simple Syrup (see recipe below)
Juice of 6 freshly-squeezed lemons (1 cup)
4 cups cold water
1 sliced lemon, for garnish
Ice cubes


Method

1. Prepare Simple Syrup in advance and refrigerate.
2. In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice and sugar and cold Simple Syrup. Add water, lemon slices, and ice cubes; stir until well blended. Serve in tall glasses over ice.
   

Yields approximately 6 cups.


Simple Syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water. Boil for 5 minutes, without stirring. Remove from heat and let cool before using. Store in the refrigerator.


Lemonade Variations

Lavender Lemonade

1. Add 1 tablespoons dried culinary lavender buds.
   
2. Add lavender to the hot Simple Syrup and let steep for 10 minutes.
   
3. Strain the Simple Syrup and discard the lavender buds.
   
4. Refrigerate Simple Syrup until cool.

Limeade
Substitute fresh lime juice for the lemon juice.


Strawberry Lemonade

1. In a blender, puree 1 pint of fresh strawberries (hulled and halved).
2. Add to the pitcher with the lemon juice and Simple Syrup.