Fresh Lemonade
- Level: Easy
- Yield: About 6 cups
- Total: 2 hr (including chilling)
- Active: 25 min
Ingredients
1 cup superfine sugar
1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, from 10 to 12 lemons
Fresh mint leaves, for garnish
Sliced lemons, for garnish
Optional flavorings: basil, scraped vanilla beans, freshly grated ginger (see Cook's Note)
Directions
- Combine the sugar with 1 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow the sugar to dissolve, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
- Combine the lemon juice, sugar syrup, and 4 cups cold water in a large pitcher. Refrigerate until well chilled, at least 1 hour. Serve over crushed ice and garnish with mint leaves and sliced lemons.
Cook’s Note
For a twist on classic lemonade, try infusing the sugar syrup with fresh basil, a scraped vanilla bean or freshly grated ginger root. Add it to the syrup while it cools. Strain out any solids before using.