Strawberry Mint Lemonade

Summer is officially over now, but there are still a few warm weeks ahead of us here in North Carolina. This Strawberry Mint Lemonade is the perfect summer send-off drink! This would be good with just about any berry mixed in, so the flavor possibilities are endless.

Adapted from these two recipes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups water (for the simple syrup)
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 3 to 4 cups cold water (to dilute)
• 10 fresh mint leaves, torn
• 1 cup frozen strawberries

Instructions:

• Make simple syrup by heating 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan until the sugar is dissolved completely.
  
  
• Squeeze the juice from 3 large lemons into a strainer over a bowl, to catch the seeds. This should be about a cup of lemon juice.
  
• Add the juice and the simple syrup to a pitcher, and add 3-4 cups of cold water, until the lemonade reaches the desired strength.
  
• Make another batch of simple syrup with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup water.
  
• Once the sugar has dissolved completely, remove the pan from heat and stir in the torn mint leaves. Allow to cool.
  
• Add the strawberries to a blender. Place a strainer over the mouth of the blender and pour the mint simple syrup into the container. Discard the mint leaves.
  
• Blend the simple syrup and the strawberries on low speed, for just a few seconds at a time, just enough to break the berries apart.
  
• Pour the strawberry mixture into the lemonade and stir completely.
  
• Serve over ice and garnish with a mint leaf.