Spiked Lemonade by the Pitcher
Ingredients
- 2 cups vodka or bourbon
- 4 cups lemonade
- 1/4 cup simple syrup optional, if the lemonade is tart
- 8 fresh mint sprigs
- 8 lemon wheels
- Ice for serving
Instructions
- Pour the vodka or bourbon and the lemonade into a 2-quart pitcher.
- Taste the mixture with a clean spoon, and stir in the simple syrup only if the lemonade tastes sharp rather than balanced.
- Bruise the mint sprigs gently between your fingers to release their oil, then drop them into the pitcher.
- Stir the pitcher for about 15 seconds and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
- Fill glasses with ice, then pour the lemonade mixture over the top.
- Garnish each glass with a lemon wheel on the rim and a fresh mint sprig tucked beside it.
Good to Know
For the zero proof pitcher, skip the spirit and add an extra cup of lemonade along with a splash of soda water for the lift that alcohol would otherwise give it.