Rosemary Lemonade

Alyson Stringer (originally from July/August 2005 Weekend magazine)
Yield: 8 servings

I adore the fragrance of rosemary and I love finding easy ways to use it, as we have a huge plant in our front bed. This lemonade is so good and beautiful! (July 2005)

2/3 cup sugar
6 2/3 cups water
7 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 1/4 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 8 lemons)
1 lemon, thinly sliced
Chilled vodka (optional)

Combine sugar and 2/3 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil to make a simple syrup. Add 3 sprigs rosemary and let steep for 15 minutes. Chill (the longer it sits, the better).

Combine the syrup, lemon juice, 6 cups water and lemon slices in a large pitcher. Bruse 4 rosemary sprigs by bashing them around a little with a wooden spoon on a cutting board and add to pitcher.

Fill glasses with ice and add a shot of vodka to each, if desired. Pour lemonade into glasses.