The Last Lemonade Recipe You'll Ever Need

Ingredients:

3 lemons, zest removed with a vegetable peeler (get as little of the white pith as possible)
1 1/2 cups water
2/3 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 cups freshly-squeezed lemon juice
Ice
Fresh mint or lavender for garnish

Directions:

  • In a small saucepan, bring water, sugar, salt, and lemon zest strips to a boil.
  • Remove from heat and cover. Steep for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Strain the sugar syrup, cool and mix with the fresh lemon juice in a bottle. Chill thoroughly. Should keep for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator. (Great use for a used wine bottle!)
  • When ready to use mix with equal parts of water. Serve with plenty of ice.
  • Garnish with one of your added ingredients

Notes:

Change this up by adding any of the following (alone or in combination) to the saucepan with the sugar and lemon zest before you boil and steep it:

  • 2-2.5 ounces fresh ginger, sliced thin (no need to peel)
  • 1.5T culinary lavender
  • 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 2-3 springs fresh mint
  • Get creative and use your imagination!