Ginger-Mint Lemonade

By ldelmas

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 3 Tbsp fresh ginger, chopped
• 26 fresh mint leaves
• 4 cups club soda
• 1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 6 cups ice
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced

Preparation

Step 1

Combine the water, sugar, and ginger in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and simmer until the sugar has melted.
Remove the pan from the heat, add 16 mint leaves, cover, and let the leaves steep for 10 minutes. Using a fine strainer, strain the mixture into a glass container and refrigerate until well-chilled.
Add the ice, sugar mixture, lemon juice, remaining mint leaves, and lemon slices into a large pitcher. Stir to combine, then pour the lemonade into glasses.
Sliced lemons and sprigs of mint, as shown, bring springtime life and color to the table. Don't forget to garnish each glass with a lemon wedge.