Old-Fashioned Lemonade

Less sweet and heavy than most bought varieties, homemade lemon barley water and lemonade are free from artificial colourings and flavourings.
 

Ingredients for old-fashioned lemonade

9 large lemons, washed
1/2 cup caster sugar
6 cups boiling water
Ice cubes and mint leaves, to serve
 

How to make old-fashioned lemonade

1. Peel the rind from the lemons with a vegetable peeler, taking care to avoid including any of the white pith. Squeeze out and strain the juice to make 11/3 cups.

2. Put the lemon rind in a large, heatproof bowl and add the sugar and boiling water. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then cover and leave to stand for 30 minutes.

3. Strain the lemon liquid into a jug and stir in the lemon juice. Cover the jug and refrigerate for about 2 hours, or until the lemonade is well chilled.

4. Put several ice cubes in tall glasses, pour in the lemonade and decorate with the mint leaves. Alternatively, put a large block of ice in a serving jug, add some lemon slices, pour in the lemonade and decorate with mint.

5. The lemonade will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week, but do not add ice to the jug before storing or you will dilute the flavour.