Sparkling Mint Lemonade

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• 4 lemon peel strips, each about 3-inch long
• 4 large mint sprigs
• 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice (8 - 10 lemons)
• 3 (24 ounce) bottles sparkling water, chilled
• lemon slices and mint sprig (to garnish)

Recipe

• 1 bring sugar and water to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. boil 1 minute.
• 2 add lemon peel strips and mint sprigs (i prefer kentucky mint, but any will work).
• 3 cover and let stand 30 minutes to infuse syrup with flavors.
• 4 strain through a sieve into a large pitcher.
• 5 add lemon juice.
• 6 stir well and chill for at least 2 hours.
• 7 at serving time, add sparkling water.
• 8 place ice cubes in a glass, and fill with mint lemonade.
• 9 enjoy!