Mint Lemonade
This quick and easy mint lemonade uses fresh mint from the garden to make a refreshing summer drink. Add a little bourbon or gin to make a cocktail!
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 137kcal
Ingredients
Mint Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh mint, loosely packed + rinsed
Lemonade:
- 6-8 lemons (approx. 1 cup fresh lemon juice), plus 1 more for garnish (sliced and deseeded)
- 4 cups water
- optional: handful fresh mint leaves
Optional Hard Lemonade Add-Ins:
- 9-12 oz bourbon, gin, or vodka, depending on desired alcohol content (optionally, add 1-½ to 2 oz alcohol per 8 oz of lemonade)
Instructions
- Make simple syrup by adding sugar, mint and 1 cup water to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, and then remove from heat. Set syrup aside and allow it to cool.
- Meanwhile, juice lemons until you have about 1 cup of juice. Pour juice into pitcher, and add 4 cups of cold water.
- Strain the mint out of the syrup. Add half the cooled syrup, and taste the lemonade. Add the remaining syrup if desired.Tip: Store any leftover syrup in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a month.
- Serve in a pitcher, or in glasses filled with ice. Garnish glasses with fresh mint.If serving hard, add liquor to pitcher, or add to individual glasses as serving.
Notes
Makes about six 8-oz servings
To use dried mint: Make sure the dried mint is still fragrant. Use about ⅓ cup dried mint instead of 1 cup fresh mint.
Recipe variation: Swap the water for sparkling water. Serve immediately.
Nutrition information does not include optional alcohol.
Nutrition
Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Potassium: 41mg | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin C: 15.8mg | Calcium: 2mg