Blackberry Mint Lemonade

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup fresh blackberries
• ½ cup mint leaves, loosely packed
• 6 cups cold water
• 1 lemon, sliced
• Ice
• Sparkling water, optional

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine sugar with 1 cup water in a saucepan and warm just until dissolved; cool the simple syrup completely.

2. 2

   Gently muddle blackberries and half the mint in a pitcher, pressing enough to release juice without shredding the herbs.

3. 3

   Add lemon juice, cooled syrup and remaining cold water and stir well.

4. 4

   Chill for at least 1 hour, then taste and adjust with more lemon or water.

5. 5

   Serve over ice with lemon slices, remaining mint and an optional splash of sparkling water.