Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade

Remember the other day when I said that a hot summer day called for a glass of cold lemonade? Well I wasn't kidding. I made this lemonade for my friend's baby shower I hosted a couple weeks ago. It was ah-mazing, and I just had to share it with you. I'm certain I'll be making it again before the end of the summer.

And just as a side note, I'm pretty sure you could replace the sugar with something less... sugary. Splenda? Truvia? Stevia? I'm not sure, but I'm sure something would work, and I think your blood sugar and waistline might be a little happier (in other words, guilt-free indulgence).

Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade
adapted from Emeril's recipe
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 pint strawberries, halved and hulled
2 cups cold club soda

In a saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Add the lemon juice and zest, remove from the heat. Cool, then strain into a pitcher to remove zest and any seeds or pulp.

In a food processor, puree the strawberries. (You could strain the strawberries if you don't want any seeds/pulp, but I thought it gave it a little pizzaz.) Add to the pitcher, and stir well. Add the club soda just before serving. Serve over ice.

This recipe went over extremely well. It was gone by the end of the day, and I even tripled the recipe for the shower. (Yes, I squeezed a dozen and a half lemons. By hand.) I'd say it's a keeper.

Bring on the heat.

I can now conquer summer.