Makes 3 cups (about 4 servings)
For the lemonade:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (from 4 lemons)
For mint lemonade:
(2 servings)
About 12 (3 1/2 cups) ice cubes
1 1/2 cups lemonade, plus more if needed
6 to 7 sprigs of fresh mint, plus more for garnish
1. To prepare the lemonade, place the sugar and hot water in a 2-quart container. Close tightly and shake until the sugar is dissolved. Add the lemon juice and enough cold water to make 3 cups total. Shake until well combined.
2. To make 2 servings of mint lemonade, place the ice in a blender -- it should fill the blender about halfway. Pour over the lemonade. Pull the leaves off the mint and add to the blender. Puree until well blended and slushy. If too liquidy, add more ice and puree; if too slushy, add a little more lemonade and puree until well blended.
3. Pour into two 12-ounce glasses. Garnish each with a mint sprig and serve immediately.
