Home Made Lemonade

This homemade old fashioned lemonade recipe is as southern and classic as it gets. It is not my own creation but I had this basic idea in my mind to make it pretty darn close to this recipe I found on: http://divascancook.com/2012/03/easy-homemade-lemonade-recipe-old-fashioned.html
I love the idea of serving the lemonade in mason jars. It just gives it that real down home feeling. Now with summer around the corner - or in some parts of the world it's already summer, this is a light and refreshing drink the whole family can enjoy.

• 8 lemons, plus more for garnishing if desired
• 1½ – 2 cups sugar
• 6 cups water, divided

1. Wash lemons thoroughly.
2. Roll lemons firmly on a hard surface until they become soft. This will make them easier to juice.
3. Zest 2-3 lemons. Set aside
4. In a pot over medium heat, add sugar, lemon zest and 2 cups of water.
5. Simmer lightly for about 5 minutes or until sugar has dissolves and the mixture has a light yellow color. Do not boil.
6. Remove from heat.
7. Juice the lemons.
8. Strain the lemon juice into a large pitcher.
9. Strain the sugar mixture into the large pitcher.
10. Add in 4 cups of cold water.
11. Taste to make sure it’s not too sweet for ya, if so add more water.
12. Fill chilled glasses with ice and pour in the lemonade!
13. Garnish each glass with sliced lemons.
14. Store in the refrigerator.