Homemade Lemonade (Classic, Thyme, and Mint)

Fresh homemade lemonade is so simple and easy to make with just a few ingredients.  Here are 3 delicious versions of lemonade: Classic, Thyme, and Mint Lemonade. Grab your pitcher and kick off the summer with these icy cool drinks!

Homemade Lemonade (Classic, Thyme, and Mint)

Ingredients

Simple Syrup (makes 3 cups)

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• ½ cup fresh thyme (for Thyme Lemonade)

For Classic Lemonade

• zest of 2 lemons (about 2 tsp)
• 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice(about 8-10 lemons)
• 3 cups cold water or sparkling water

For Mint Lemonade

• zest of 2 lemons (about 2 tsp)
• 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice(about 8-10 lemons)
• 3 cups cold water or sparkling mineral water
• ½ cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 tsp granulated sugar

For Thyme Lemonade

• zest of 2 lemons (about 2 tsp)
• 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice(about 8-10 lemons)
• 3 cups cold water or sparkling mineral water

To Serve

• ice (as needed)
• sliced lemons (for garnish)
• fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
• fresh thyme (for garnish)

Instructions

Gather all the ingredients

1. Depends on lemons, the amount of juice varies.  You will need about 8-10 lemons to get 2 cups of lemon juice.

Make sugar syrup (for Classic & Mint Lemonade)

1. Combine 2 cups sugar and 2 cups water in a saucepan and bringing to a simmer. Stir until sugar is dissolved and then let cool.  You can keep this simple syrup for up to a month.

Make sugar syrup (for Thyme Lemonade)

1. Combine 2 cups sugar, 2 cups water, and ½ cup thyme in a saucepan and bringing to a simmer. Stir until sugar is dissolved and then let cool.

Classic Lemonade

1. Zest 2 lemons and add to the 2-cup liquid measuring cup.  Cut lemons in half.
2. Squeeze 8-10 lemons till you get 2 cups of lemon juice.
3. If you have an electric lemon squeezer, it is helpful.  Now in your measuring cup, you should have 2 cups lemon juice and zest from 2 lemons.
4. In a large pitcher, add zest from 2 lemons, pour 2 cups lemon juice, and 3 cups water.
5. Gradually add the simple syrup and taste to reach desired sweetness (I usually add 1 to 1 ¼ cup simple syrup depends on lemons I use).  I recommend to chill the lemonade for at least 1 hour.

Mint Lemonade

1. Make Classic Lemonade (See above).
2. In a glass cup, combine ½ cup mint, sprinkle sugar, and a lemon wheel.
3. Using a muddler or wooden spoon, gently muddle the mint leaves. Transfer the mint leaves to the lemonade pitcher and stir well.  I recommend to chill the lemonade for at least 1 hour.

Thyme Lemonade

1. In a large pitcher, add zest from 2 lemons, pour 2 cups lemon juice, and 3 cups water.
2. Gradually add the thyme infused simple syrup and thymes and taste to reach desired sweetness (I usually add 1 cup to 1 ¼ cup simple syrup depends on lemons I use).  I recommend to chill the lemonade for at least 1 hour.

To Serve

1. In a serving pitcher, add ice and lemon slices. If you do not use all of it, do not add ice and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
2. For mint/thyme lemonade, add more mint/thyme for decoration. Note: If you don't finish the mint lemonade the first day, discard the mint leaves as they turn brown.

http://www.justonecookbook.com/homemade-lemonade/