6-8 lemons (approx. 1 cup fresh lemon juice), plus 1 more for garnish (sliced and deseeded)
4cupswater
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 servingsTo 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.