Minty Lemonade

Walking around the grocery store the other day I noticed some Minute Maid lemonade with a hint of mint and though to myself, "Well, isn't that a good idea?". "Lemonade" as we Americains know it does not really exist here in France. What does exist is delicious, don't get me wrong; Loriana is the major producer (which can be bought in US supermarkets) of what is essentially sparkly water with a hint of lemon, which I love at times but doesn't hit the spot and cool you off quite like the intense lemony jolt of lemonade back home (Newman's Own, anyone? Yum!). Anyway, here is the rundown, without pictures (you try taking a pretty drink picture without ice!), on how to make this refreshing summer drink with a twist!

Minty Lemonade

1 part lemon juice 

1 part mint simple syrup (instructions below)

2 parts water

Mix together and chill. 

Mint Simple Syrup

1 part sugar

1 part water

1 handful of mint leaves

Mix everything together in either a sauce pan or a microwave safe measuring cup, making sure to "muddle" the mint in with the sugar a bit just to break it up. Bring to a boil and mix together to dissolve all the sugar. Strain out the mint leaves before using in the lemonade.

 

If you want some hard numbers to go by, here's an example for a recycled 2L jug:

2 cups lemon juice

2 cups simple syrup (1 1/3 c sugar and 1 1/3 c water and the mint)

4 cups water

And at the suggestion of a friend, we've using this [yummy on it's own] lemonade as a mixer with gin. Talk about beating the 96º heat!