Step 1

Juice and zest lemons to get the required amounts of both. Sometimes heating the lemon in the microwave for a few seconds will help get the juices flowing.

Step 2

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, boil water and remove from heat.

Step 3

Immediately add sugar and lemon zest.

Step 4

Stir until the sugar has completely melted and dissolved into the water.

Step 5

Mix in lemon juice and stir until completely incorporated.

Step 6

Transfer to a lidded container and refrigerate until cool.

Step 7

Once cool, mix equal parts lemon syrup with water for classic lemonade.

Step 8

Sparkling Lemonade: Mix equal parts lemon syrup with sparkling water.

Step 9

Lavender Lemonade: Add 1/2 cup fresh lavender to water before boiling the water (if you do not want the lavender floating around in the syrup you can tie it in a cheesecloth or put a fill your own tea bag) or add lavender essence to classic lemonade.

Step 10

Strawberry Lemonade - Add 1/8 cup thawed sugared frozen strawberries to classic lemonade. (You can make your own sugared strawberries too just make sure they have a lot of time to sit and get the juices flowing for a nice syrup.)

Step 11

Arnold Palmer - Mix lemon syrup with equal parts unsweetened ice tea.

Step 12

Granita - In a blender, blend 1 part syrup with 1 1/2-2 parts ice. Blend until smooth and slushy. For the adults add one shot of your favorite liquor per serving (more or less to your taste).