Some like it bubbly, some like it not. By making a simple syrup with the lemon rind you are guaranteed to capture an intense lemon flavor that will take the edge of a hot summer afternoon.

Ready

• 3-5 lemons, juiced
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup water
• Ice
• Bubbly water, any brand will do

Set

• Sauce pan
• Zester
• Pitcher

Go

1. Juice your lemons and set aside.
2. Zest the lemon rinds into a sauce pan add ½ cup of water to the sauce pan, cover and set over a medium low heat for ten minutes.
3. Add sugar to sauce pan and stir until sugar dissolves. Let cool.
4. When ready to serve add ice and bubbly water to pitcher. Add about half the lemon juice and a healthy dollop of the lemon flavored simple syrup.
5. Mix, taste, adjust.

What you should know

Store extra lemon flavored simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to two months.