Fresh Mint Lemonade (Pitcher Recipe)
Ingredients (serves 6–8):6–8 fresh lemons (enough for ~1 cup lemon juice)
1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
5 cups cold water (divided: 1 cup hot + 4 cups cold)
1 cup ice cubes (plus extra for serving)
1 handful fresh mint leaves
1 lemon, thinly sliced (for garnish)
Optional: sparkling water (for a fizzy version)
Instructions:1. Make the Simple Syrup:
In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of hot water with 1 cup of sugar.
Stir until the sugar completely dissolves. Let it cool.
2. Juice the Lemons:
Roll the lemons on the counter to make juicing easier.
Cut and squeeze them to get 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Strain out seeds if needed.
3. Mix the Lemonade:
In a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice and cooled simple syrup.
Add 4 cups of cold water and stir to combine.
4. Add Garnishes & Ice:
Add ice cubes, lemon slices, and mint leaves to the pitcher.
Gently muddle the mint leaves a bit beforehand to release flavor (optional).
5. Serve:
Pour into glasses over more ice, add a striped straw, and enjoy chilled!
Optional Variations:Sparkling Mint Lemonade: Replace half the cold water with sparkling water.
Herbal Twist: Add basil or lavender instead of mint for a unique flavor.
Boozy Version: Add a shot of vodka or gin per serving.~~