lemonade - can't go wrong!

1 cup sugar (can reduce to 3/4 cup)

1 cup water 

1 cup lemon juice

3-4 cups cold water (to dilute)

 

Make a sweet syrup by heating the sugar & water in a saucepan until the sugar is dissolved.  This is like making your own "simple syrup" and helps to dissolve the sugar instead of having all the sugar sink to the bottom of your pitcher.  Juice about 4-6 lemons - enough for 1 cup of juice.  Add the juice and the sugar-water to your pitcher.  Add 3-4 cups of cold water (or ice) to the pitcher, until you reach the desired strength of sweetness/tartness.  Refrigerate 30-40 minutes.  If the lemonade is a little sweet for your taste, add a little more straight lemon juice.  Serve with ice & sliced lemons.  You can also spice it up a little with diced fruit, or even mint!  Enjoy!!  Serves: about 6