Strawberry Mint Lemonade

I love lemonades. I live in place that is perpetually hot except the weather is so cool right now as I’m typing this but will I let a little pneumonia stop me from drinking my lemonade; of course not (totally kidding by the way). The one thing I love the most about this recipe is how customizable it is. Add roses in place of water or tequila or whatever alcohol you prefer. Replace the mint with basil or even rosemary and you have yourself a different but tasty drink You literally cannot go wrong here.

Recipe 10 Servings

For the mint sugar syrup 

6 to 9 cups fresh mint (add more or less if you're not really fond of mint though I've found that the more mint you add, the better.

3 cups sugar

5 cups water

For the blended strawberries

300 to 400g fresh/frozen strawberries 

All of the sugar mint syrup

For the strawberry mint lemonade

3 cups lemon juice 

The strawberry puree

3+ cups water/rosé/ sparkling water (add more or less according to taste)

ice cubes for serving

fresh mint , strawberries and sliced lemon to garnish.

Directions

To make the mint syrup, heat the mint, water and sugar over medium heat and allow it to boil to thicken slightly. Take off heat and let mint steep in syrup until it cools to room temperature. Pass the syrup through a fine sieve and squeeze the mint to get all the syrup out and set aside.

Blend the strawberries with  the mint syrup and pass through a fine sieve to get rid of all the seeds. 

To make the strawberry mint lemonade add the lemon juice, strawberry mint mixture and stir. Add the water/rose in bits and stir and taste after every addition until it reaches desired taste. If it’s too sour, add a bit of water, if it’s too sweet, add a bit more lemon juice.

Allow to sit in fridge for some hours before serving so the flavor marries.

To serve, add ice, then the strawberry mint lemonade, Top with sliced lemons, strawberries and mint Serve immediately.