Sparkling Lemonade with Fresh Berry Ice

A few nights before we went on vacation, I had my friends Caitlin and Dani over for a dinner date.  I made all sorts of amazing things which will soon be gracing this blog, but first up is this absolutely delectable beverage.

First of all, they're adorable.  Making ice cubes with berries in them is such an easy yet awesome way to make your drink look more festive.  This was right after the 4th of July, so the red and blue berries made the drink extra patriotic.  I also added some small mint leaves to some of the cubes for some more color.

Second, they are soooo delicious.  The lemonade is made from fresh lemons, so it's good in and of itself.  But then you add sparkling water, so it's a fizzy fresh lemonade!  So good.  So much better than water, or regular lemonade.

There is not much to say about these lemonades, except that making a big pitcher of them (and lots of ice cubes) is an excellent idea.

Recipe:

sparkling lemonade with fresh berry ice
from Annie's Eats
yields 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

for the ice cubes:
assorted fresh berries (blueberries, slices strawberries, raspberries) - I also added some mint leaves
water

for the lemonade:
1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice ( about 12-14 lemons - although mine must have been way juicier than normal because I used far less)
3/4 cups sugar
2-3 cups sparkling water, chilled

Directions:

1) Add a few fresh berries to each well of an ice cube tray.  Fill the wells with water and freeze untl solid.

2) In a small saucepan, combine the lemon juice and sugar over medium heat.  Let cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved completely.  Transfer to a large liquid measuring cup, cover, and chill until ready to serve.

3) To serve, place a few of the berry ice cubes in each serving glass.  Add 2 cups of the sparkling water to the chilled lemon syrup and stir gently.  Add more sparkling water to taste if needed.  Pour the mixture into the glasses and serve immediately.