Recipe- Keep Yourself Cool In Summers With Classic Strawberry Lemonade

Summer is around the corner and I love this time of year! It means more time with my grandkids, a relaxed schedule and of course endless days of sun, pool and pure bliss! I like to serve refreshing Lemonade on these hot summer days. It's definitely a must-have for fun summer outings like picnics or casual lunches if you are entertaining. Today I am making two different lemonades - traditional classic Lemonade and Strawberry Lemonade. It's the perfect pick-me-up drink!

Ingredients

For Simple Syrup

1 cup sugar
1 cup water this is to make simple syrup
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

Lemonade

3 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup simple syrup adjust to taste
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper grounded
2 cup cold water approximately
Mint leaves and lemon slices to garnish
Ice

Strawberry Lemonade

1 cup strawberries trimmed and sliced
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ cup simple syrup adjust as needed
2 cup cold water approximately
Ice

Method

- First make a "simple syrup". Place the sugar, water and mint leaves in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Stir so that the sugar dissolves completely and turn off the heat.

- After syrup cools off, strain the syrup to remove the mint leaves.

- This syrup can be made in advance and can be refrigerated.

Classic Lemon lemonade

- Mix simple syrup, lemon juice, salt and black pepper to the water and pour over ice. Garnish with mint leaves and lemon slice.

Strawberry lemonade

- Save few slices of strawberry for garnishing and purée rest of the strawberries with ¼ cup of water in a blender until smooth

- Then strain the puree into a bowl to remove seeds.

- Stir together strawberry purée, with lemon juice, simple syrup, and water in a pitcher mix it well.

- Taste, then add more sugar if desired. Serve over ice. Add few pieces of strawberry to the glass.