Vanilla Bean Lemonade (Giada)

By peridot728

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 cup Simple Syrup, recipe follows
• 2 tablespoons vanilla bean paste
• 8 cups (2 quarts) cold sparkling water
• Crushed ice
• Fresh basil or mint leaves, for garnish
• Lemon slices, for garnish
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup water

Preparation

Step 1

Whisk together the lemon juice, Simple Syrup and vanilla bean paste in a large pitcher. If not serving immediately, refrigerate the pitcher.

To serve, add the sparkling water to the pitcher and stir to combine. Pour the lemonade into individual glasses of crushed ice. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil or mint and a lemon slice.
Simple Syrup:

In a small saucepan bring the sugar and water to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and cool.

Recipe courtesy of Kelsey Nixon