Only the Best Strawberry Lemonade

It's summer here in Maine and that calls for Lemonade. I prefer mine with strawberries in it...oh so yummy.

1 cup of lemon juice
1 cup of sugar (sometimes I use only 3/4 c)
1 cup of water

Mix together until the sugar is dissolved well. This is the base for your lemonade ~ a syrup if you will. Add in 3-4 cups of cold water to dilute it.
Next you want to smash up some strawberries and just pour them in. I generally use the older strawberries that are a little sketchy in the fridge but aren't bad. (It's a good way to be frugal) Sometimes I'll use frozen berries but never frozen with sugar added. That's WAY to sweet!

Also in the hot summer you can plop in your glass a couple of frozen whole berries to act as an ice cube ~ prevents your beverage from being watered down and it looks pretty!
Enjoy!

Chocolate Syrup

1 1/2 C Water
3 C Sugar
1 1/2 C cocoa 1
Tbsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp light corn syrup

In a small pot, bring water and sugar to a boil and whisk in cocoa, vanilla, salt, and corn syrup. Whisk until all the solids have dissolved. Reduce sauce until slightly thickened. Store in fridge in a squeeze type bottle!