Well today the temperature surpassed 100˚F, and with the heat index, it feels even hotter.  I am very thankful to have a home with working central air.  It is a day when I need to stay inside seated very close to an air vent.  It is a day for a deliciously refreshing glass of homemade lemonade.  So, that’s what I am giving you today – my recipe for homemade lemonade.

I am going to give you the basic recipe; you may want to double it.  Also, here are a few tips for making the perfect lemonade.  1) Wash your lemons before you use them.  2) To get the maximum amount of juice, roll each room temperature lemon on your kitchen counter a few times before cutting them.  3) I squeeze my lemons by hand, remove any seeds that come out with the juice, and leave some squeezed pulp in – it is so delicious with the pulp.

 

If you have any ideas for refreshing drinks, I love to hear about them.

 

 

 

You will need:

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of water

1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice with pulp  (about 4 – 6 lemons, depending on the size)

4 cups of cold water

2 extras lemons – one to slice and put in the pitcher, one to slice to garnish each serving glass

 

Into a medium sauce pan, add 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water.

Boil over low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Set aside and cool.

Roll each lemon on your kitchen counter, and then slice in half.

Squeeze lemons to get one cup of freshly squeezed juice.  Remember to add some pulp.

In a glass pitcher, add the 4 cups of cold water and the lemon juice.

Add in the sugar water and mix thoroughly.

Add thin slices of lemon to the pitcher.

 

 

 

Fill each serving glass with ice.

Pour lemonade over ice filled glass and garnish each glass with a lemon slice.

Serve and Enjoy!