Sparkling Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice about 8 to 10 lemons
- 3 cups cold water
- 4 cups chilled sparkling water or club soda
- Ice
- Lemon slices and mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar fully dissolves and the syrup runs clear, about 3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.
- In a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice, cooled syrup, and 3 cups cold water, stirring well.
- Taste and adjust: add a little more syrup if it tastes sharp, or a splash more water if it tastes too strong.
- Cover and refrigerate the pitcher for at least 30 minutes, until fully chilled.
- Right before serving, fill glasses with ice and pour the lemonade base in until each glass is about two-thirds full.
- Top each glass with sparkling water, stir once gently, and garnish with a lemon slice and a mint sprig.
Good to Know
Double the lemonade base and keep it covered in the fridge for up to three days: top with sparkling water fresh each time you refill, rather than all at once.