Nothing beats lemonade as a summertime refresher. This recipe creates your own lemon syrup. Keep it in the refrigerator and, whenever you're in the mood, just stir a few spoonfuls into water. For sparkling lemonade, add club soda or seltzer to the syrup.

6 lemons
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water

Grate 1/4 teaspoon of the yellow zest from one of the lemons. Squeeze 3/4 cup juice. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan.

Boil until syrup measured 3/4 cup, (about 3 to 4 minutes). Add zest and juice to syrup. Refrigerate. Add 3 tablespoons syrup or more to taste to 1 cup water and pour over ice. Garnish with lemons.

Serves 8.