Iced Mint Lemonade

Vegas is hot in the summer. REAL hot. I made this refreshing drink yesterday, hoping to have something cool to drink that would help beat the heat(and taste good!). I make this drink every summer and it is always the perfect thing to have in the fridge during the hot summer months. The mint really adds a cool, fresh flavor.
Sadly, pregnancy has decided to not allow me the pleasure of drinking such acidic beverages as real lemonade. One sip and I could feel the heartburn flaring up.

What?!? I’m not making this drink sound appetizing? Let me assure you that my non-pregnant husband was able to drink and enjoy plenty. So, enjoy. Unless you are pregnant, then just stay far, far away until next summer =)

*Note – Make sure the mint you are using is actually mint. I am well known for one summer picking my own “mint” down by a river bed, making a delightful(so I thought) lemonade with it, and then accidentally serving everyone what should have really been called ‘Catnip Lemonade’. True story.
Ingredients:

• 1 large bunch of fresh Mint
• 5-6 Lemons
• Water, to taste
• Sugar or Honey, to taste Remove the mint leaves from the stems and place in a small saucepan. Fill the pan with water, just until the mint leaves are covered. Heat the water just until it begins to simmer, and then cover the pan and remove from heat.

Keeping the lid on the pan, allow the mint to steep in the water for as long as you like. About an hour for a moderately minty flavor, several hours for a stronger mint taste.

Meanwhile, while your mint is steeping, juice your lemons and then pour the juice through a small strainer into a pitcher.

*Tip* To make the lemons easier to juice, heat each lemon for about 20 seconds in the microwave and then firmly roll on the counter to soften before cutting in half and juicing.

Fill your pitcher of lemon juice 2/3 to 3/4 of the way full with water. Pour the mint water into the lemonade(strain first and press the solids into the strainer to extract maximum mint flavor!) Add sugar or honey to taste( I like honey best), fill your pitcher with ice, sliced lemons, and mint leaves and serve!
This recipe is super easy and doesn’t really need a picture tutorial. But I like taking pictures of food. So there you go.