Old-Fashioned Lemonade

1 T grated lemon peel
1-1/2 C sugar
1/2 C boiling water
1-1/2 C lemon juice
1 lemon, thinly sliced, optional
Maraschino cherries, with stems, optional

Combine lemon peel, sugar, and water in a jar or covered container; shake until sugar dissolves (if sugar will not dissolve, heat the mixture in a microwave oven for about 2 minutes). Add lemon juice.

By the pitcher: Mix the syrup base with 6 C of cold water in a large pitcher.

Pour into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with lemon slices and a stemmed cherry.

By the glass: Syrup base can be stored tightly covered in the refrigerator. For one glass of lemonade, briskly stir 1/4 C of syrup base with 3/4 C of cold water in a tall, ice-filled glass. Garnish with lemon slices and a stemmed cherry.

Suggestions:

• Artificial sweetener to taste may be substituted for the sugar, but do not heat it in the microwave oven.
• Orange Lemonade: Substitute orange juice for half the lemon juice.