A jug of homemade iced lemonade feels like such a special treat – even though it’s a quick and simple drink to mix together. Homemade lemonade bears little resemblance to what you might buy in cans – it’s sharper and more delicate in flavour, and somehow infinitely more refreshing to drink. I’ve added fresh strawberries and mint here, to mix a drink that has something of the same festive summery feel you get with Pimms. Feel free to toss in chunks of cucumber, orange, peach, or whatever else you fancy.

Yields approximately 150ml of sugar syrup, enough to mix a large jug of lemonade.

FOR THE SUGAR SYRUP
100g caster sugar
100ml water

FOR THE LEMONADE
4 lemons
3-5 sprigs of fresh mint
8-10 strawberries

To make the syrup, pour the sugar and water into a small saucepan and set over a medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Take the pan off the heat and set to one side to cool to room temperature.

In a large jug squeeze the juice of the lemons and fill the jug almost to capacity with cold water (you can use sparkling water if you want to make fizzy lemonade, otherwise plain is just fine), then pour in a little of the sugar syrup, and mix well and taste. You can make the lemonade as sweet or as sharp as you like.

Toss the fresh mint into the jug.

Hull and quarter the strawberries and add them to the mix too, before serving over ice.

For more about Skye please visit From My Dining Table
Photography by Lesley Colvin