Mint Lemonade

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.comWarmer weather always makes us scream for a cold, refreshing drinks. But if alcoholic cocktails are not an option for you and you want to think beyond water or Coke, it’s time to mix up this amazingly sweet and refreshing mint lemonade—Perfect to cool down on a hot summer afternoon!

Ingredients list for the mint lemonade

For  the syrup:

• 1 cup (200g) white sugar
• 4/5 cup (200ml) of water
• Grated zest of 1 organic lemon
• 2 sprigs of fresh mint

For the lemonade:

• 4/5 cup (200ml) lemon juice (about 6 organic lemons)
• Grated zest of 1 organic lemon
• 4 cups (1 liter) sparkling water
• Mint leaves for decoration + 1 sliced lemon

Directions

The syrup:
1. Pour sugar into a small saucepan. Add water and grated lemon zest.
2. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes. Remove the pan from heat, add mint leaves and let steep for 10 minutes, covering the pan.

The lemonade
1. Squeeze lemons and filter the juice to remove any seeds. Collect the pulp and add to the juice. Add the lemon zest and mix well.
2. Once the syrup has cooled, remove the mint, and pour the syrup into lemon juice. Stir well.
3. Add sparkling water in the lemonade, stir, then pour into a bottle. Refrigerate at least one hour before serving, it must be very cold.
4. Before serving, pour the lemonade into a glass jug, add ice cubes and garnish with lemon slices and mint.

(Photo by Savoir & Saveur)