Strawberry Lemonade

I'm so aching for warm weather that I'll start putting recipes up now that can at least put us there in name and in flavor.  I envision pitchers of this lemonade at a variety of family picnics, on warm nights sitting outside after work, or just hanging out with my two baby granddaughters.  Make it ahead, early in the day, and let it get good and cold.  It's refreshing.  It goes with anything you might be noshing on.  And it just will be summer soon.


Strawberry Lemonade

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

Mint sprigs, garnish

Whole strawberries, garnish

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 with some of the fresh lemon juice mixture and add to a pitcher with the remaining lemon juice mixture. Stir well to combine and refrigerate until well chilled.

Add the sparkling water and stir well. Pour over glasses filled with ice and serve, garnished with mint and strawberries