Before juicing the lemons, peel 3 to 4 of them, just the yellow zest, not the bitter white part. This adds extra lemon flavor to the syrup.
peel from about 3-4 lemons you will be juicing
In a saucepan, combine the fresh lemon juice, sugar, and the lemon peels. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture is hot (but not boiling). Once the sugar’s dissolved and the lemon peel has had a chance to infuse, remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
1 cup lemon juice, ¾ cup granulated sugar
Strain the mixture into a large pitcher, discarding the peels. Add in the cold water and plenty of ice. Stir, taste, and adjust sweetness if needed. Serve right away or chill in the fridge. Garnish with lemon slices and mint if you’re feeling fancy!
5-6 cups cold water, Ice cubes, Lemon slices and fresh mint leaves for garnish