Easy Lemonade

4 c. water

1 c. sugar

2 c. ice

1 container (7.5 oz.) frozen fresh lemon juice, thawed

Bring 1 c. water and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until sugar dissolves (3 to 5 minutes). Fill a large pitcher with ice. Stir in sugar syrup, lemon juice, and remaining water.

Variations

Mint Lemonade: Prepare sugar syrup. Add 1/2 c. of chopped fresh mint leaves to the syrup. Cover and let stand 30 minutes. Strain syrup into pitcher and discard mint leaves. Stir in remaining water, 1/2 c. of chopped fresh mint leaves, and lemon juice.

Raspberry-Vanilla Lemonade: Prepare sugar syrup. Add a vanilla bean to the syrup. Cover and let stand 30 minutes. Remove bean; rinse it and save for another use. Strain syrup into pitcher. Stir in remaining water, lemon juice, 1/2 pint fresh raspberries, and 2 tbs. raspberry syrup.