Ingredients
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups cold sparkling water or club soda

 

Directions
In a medium sauce pan bring the water and 1/2 cup of sugar to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the sugar dissolves. Add the lemon zest and lemon juice and stir. Take off heat and let cool slightly, and pour in a pitcher.

Meanwhile, in another saucepan add in the other 1/2 cup of sugar and the strawberries and let cook over medium heat until syrupy and the strawberries are soft. About 10-15 minutes. Once syrupy, add in the vanilla extract and take off heat.

 

Using a blender, puree the srawberry mixture until smooth. Pour into the pitcher along with the lemon juice mixture.

Add in about 2 cups of sparkling water or tap water, stir and serve over ice.

Garnish with mint or basil leaves and a slice of lemon!
 

Enjoy!