To 2 cups water add 1 cup sugar and do not stir after the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil and boil 5 minutes exactly. Add 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (or other juice, espresso, etc.). Freeze in cubes (it never gets really hard), then mash cubes with a potato masher and serve in sherbet glasses. Genuine Italian ice has large crystals, rather like a snow cone.