Vanilla and Mint Lemonade

Ingredients

  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 6-8 lemons)

  • 1 cup cane sugar

  • 4-5 cups filtered water

  • 2 handfuls of mint leaves

  • 1 teaspoon Beyond Good Vanilla Extract

  • To serve: ice, sliced lemons, mint leaves

Instructions

  • Prepare mint-flavored simple syrup by adding 1 cup cane sugar, 1 cup filtered water, and one handful of mint leaves to a small saucepan over medium heat.

  • Stir for about 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat to cool for about 1 hour.

  • Clean and slice the lemons in half. Over a measuring cup or bowl, squeeze out the lemon juice by using a citrus reamer or juicer. Transfer lemon juice to the refrigerator to chill, until the simple syrup has cooled.

  • Fill a large pitcher with ice, lemon slices, and a handful of fresh mint leaves.

  • Once the simple syrup has cooled, remove the wilted mint leaves and transfer to the prepared pitcher.

  • Add chilled lemon juice, and 3 cups of water to dilute the tart-lemony flavor. Stir, taste and adjust to determine if 1 additional cup of water is needed.

  • Add 1 teaspoon of Beyond Good Vanilla Extract and stir to combine.

  • Pour lemonade into glasses and enjoy.

Shawnna Hall-Enoch