Lemonade

We may be biased but this is by far the best lemonade recipe we've tried. It can also be a base recipe for many types of drinks.

½ cup sugar
3 lemons, zest removed in wide strips
¾ cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed (from about 3 lemons)

To Serve:
lemon slices

Bring sugar and ½ cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Let cool 5 minutes. Add lemon zest and let sit 30 minutes to steep.

Strain lemon syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher; discard zest. Add lemon juice and 3 cups water and stir to combine.

Serve lemonade over ice garnished with lemon slices.

Makes 4 servings.