For a refreshing treat this summer, try making some honey mint lemonade. ©iStockphoto.com/meteo021

If you love a cold glass of lemonade in the summer, take your indulgence to the next level with this Honey Mint Lemonade recipe. Made with raw honey from Hawaii, fresh mint leaves, and freshly squeezed lemon juice, it’s absolutely delicious and a healthy alternative to store-bought, artificially sweetened lemonade.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 3 3/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup chopped mint leaves
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 cup raw honey
• whole fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Directions:

Plan ahead if you’re making this recipe, since the syrup has to cool for four hours before you make the final lemonade.

To make the lemon-mint simple syrup, combine 3/4 cup water, the white sugar, the chopped mint leaves, and the lemon zest in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the sugar is completely dissolved. Stain this mixture through a sieve to remove the mint leaves and zest. Place it in a bowl or jar to cool in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

When the syrup is cool, combine the lemon juice, remaining water, and honey in a large pitcher. Stir until the honey is completely dissolved. Then, add the mint syrup, and stir to combine.

To serve your lemonade, fill glasses with ice cubes and a few fresh mint leaves. Pour the lemonade over the ice, and enjoy. This recipe makes 6 tall glasses of lemonade. If you’re having a lot of friends over, you may want to double the recipe, as guests are sure to ask for seconds!

Visit Hawaii’s Local Buzz to order our raw honey from Hawaii. Never heated or pasteurized, it is perfectly blended by the bees and perfect for summer recipes like this one.