Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

Yummm....Nothing says summer like a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade!  It doesn't compare to any store bought lemonade filled with artificial ingredients and sweeteners.  I make it sugar free too but you don't have too!

Ingredients:

• 5 lemons
• 1 to 1 1/2 cup sugar or Powdered Stevia/Xylitol (make sure it is equal measurements to sugar on the package) - depending how sweet you like it.  Start with 1 cup and add accordingly
• 8 cups water

Instructions:

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to boil, turn off and then stir in sugar until it is dissolved.  Allow to cool to room temperature or place in the refrigerator for chilling.  

Prep the lemons (see note prior to juicing below).  Peel, cut in half and juice them into a small bowl.  Remove seeds from lemon juice. Leave in the pulp but if you don't like the pulp, strain the juice prior to adding to the pitcher.   In pitcher, stir together chilled syrup, lemon juice and remaining 7 cups water.

Notes:

Make sure you peel your lemon with a vegetable peeler prior to cutting it and squeezing it.  You can use these peels in limoncello, cleaning spray, lemon garlic oil or dry them for fire starters!

A couple of tricks to make sure you get the most juice out of your lemonade:

• Microwave each lemon for 15 minutes, then roll it on the counter before you cut it, peel it and squeeze it. 

OR

• Soak the lemons in hot water for 10 mins and roll each lemon on the counter before you cut, peel and squeeze it. 

Source:  Me