old fashioned lemonade base

here it is... my mum's lemonade recipe.  i love it. i got a dwarf lemon tree for christmas and can't wait till it fruits a plenty to be able to make my own. :)

ingredients
2 1/2 cups water
1 1/4 cups caster sugar
zest of half a lemon, finely chopped
juice of 5 lemons
bottle or jar to store

method

in a medium saucepan heat and stir water and sugar over a medium heat until sugar is dissolved.

simmer syrup for 5 minutes.

remove from heat, add lemon zest and leave to cool for 20 minutes.

add lemon juice to the syrup and pour into clean bottles or jars

store lemonade base in refrigerator for up to three days.

to serve

stir equal quantities of lemonade base and cold water or soda together. 

add ice and serve.  add a sprig of fresh mint, if desired.

find a comfy seat in the breeze of the afternoon, serve up and enjoy!