MICHELLE URVATER'S LEMONADE

2 teaspoons grated fresh lemon zest (colored part only)
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cup fresh lemon juice (6 lemons)
Lemonade ice cubes (optional, recipe follows)

TO MAKE THE LEMONADE SYRUP:
Bring lemon peel, sugar and water to boil; boil 30 seconds. Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Cool to room temperature. Store, covered, in refrigerator.

TO MAKE THE LEMONADE:
For each glass of lemonade, combine 1/4 cup of syrup with 1 cup of water or mineral water. Serve with lemonade ice cubes, if desired.

TO MAKE LEMONADE ICE CUBES:
Stir together 2 tablespoons of syrup for each 1 cup of water and freeze in ice cube trays.

Makes 10 servings