Fresh Strawberry Lemonade

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar has dissolved completely. Remove from heat and let it cool for about 30 minutes.

While the syrup is cooling, blend the strawberries with a little water to create a smooth puree. You can strain this through a fine mesh if you prefer a smoother texture.

While the syrup is cooling, juice the lemons until you have 1 cup of lemon juice. Strain the juice to remove any seeds and excess pulp if you prefer a smoother lemonade.

In a large pitcher, mix the cooled syrup, lemon juice, strawberry puree, and 4 cups of cold water. Stir well.

Taste your lemonade and if it’s too sweet, add more lemon juice. If it’s too tart, add more water or a bit more sugar, depending on your preference.

Add ice cubes to the pitcher or to individual glasses. Garnish with lemon slices, whole strawberries, and mint leaves if using. Serve cold.