Strawberry Lemonade

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. Add the lemon juice and zest, stir, and remove from heat. Strain the mixture and let it cool completely. (I used a water bath to cool it down faster.)

2. In a blender, puree the strawberries (see note below). Pour into a pitcher.

3. Pour the cooled lemon mixture into the pitcher with the strawberry puree, stir well, and refrigerate until chilled.

4. When serving, add some ice to the glasses, fill them 3/4 of the way up with lemonade, and add in the sparkling water or club soda.

Notes:
I used half fresh and half frozen strawberries. If do this or use all frozen berries, add in a little water into the blender to help it puree.
If you make this for a party, pour the sparkling water or club soda into the pitcher with the lemonade before serving. That was what the original recipe said to do, but if you just make it to drink at home, I just add the sparkling water into each serving glass.

(Adapted from Emeril Lagasse’s recipe.)