Strawberry Lemonade

3 1/2 cups water
1 3/4 cup sugar
Strips of zest from 2 lemons
1 pint strawberries, hulled
1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice
Ice cubes, for serving
10 whole strawberries, for decoration

Put 1 1/2 cups of the water and 1 1/2 cups of the sugar in a saucepan with the strips of zest. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let syrup steep 10 minutes.

Puree the hulled berries and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a blender. Strain into a large pitcher and stir in the syrup (without the zest), lemon juice, and water to taste (up to 2 more cups). Chill well.

Stir before serving. Pour over lots of ice and finish with a berry on the rim.

Serves 10, Per serving: 150 calories; 41g carbs; no protein, fat or cholesterol.

I made it today with sugar and it is definitely 41g of carbs sweet. Next time I will try less sugar or maybe Splenda.

Edit: This turned out more like a concentrate. I would suggest 1/2 or 1/3 part juice to 1 part water. Ice is important, because it doesn't get super cold.