Vodka Lemonade

Make a pitcher of these for your next happy hour. The recipe can easily be doubled.

6 oz vodka
12 oz lemonade, preferably homemade, see recipe below
2 oz simple syrup (optional, depending on sweetness of lemonade)
Sparkling water (I like lemon La Croix)
Lemon slices and mint leaves for garnish

If you are using simple syrup, make it by combining 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 cup of water in a small saucepan and heat to dissolve sugar. Cool. Can be kept refrigerated up to 10 days. Also consider adding herbs or fruit to simple syrup to infuse it with flavor. I like thyme or rosemary, and sometimes add strawberries, then strain them out before refrigerating.

Combine lemonade, vodka, and simple syrup in a pitcher 1⁄2 filled with ice. Fill a highball glass with ice and add vodka lemonade until the glass is two-thirds full. Top off with sparkling water and stir to mix.

Garnish with a slice of lemon and sprigs of mint.

Homemade Lemonade

Makes about 10 servings

1 1⁄2 c granulated sugar
1 c water
8-10 lemons, depending on juiciness
6 c cold water
Ice

Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan and heat to dissolve sugar. Cool.

Juice lemons until you obtain 1 1⁄2 cups of juice.

Pour water into a pitcher. Add juice and simple syrup. Taste, adjusting sugar or juice as needed. Serve over ice.