Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients

2 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
2 cups cold sparkling water or club soda
Ice

Directions

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Add the lemon peel and lemon juice, stir, and remove from the heat. Let cool completely, then strain into a clean pitcher.

In a blender, puree the pint of strawberries and add to the pitcher with the lemon juice. Stir well to combine and refrigerate until well chilled.

Add the sparkling water/club soda and stir well. Pour over glasses filled with ice and serve, garnish with mint sprigs and strawberries, if desired.

Makes 4-6 servings

**Thoughts~Strain strawberries after you puree them, otherwise you are left with a whole lot of seeds. Plan on this making only 4 servings. Also, you don't have to use fresh lemon juice.**