Amish Style Lemonade

Ingredients

• 10 lemons, well scrubbed
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 pinch salt (optional)
• 5 cups cold water

Directions

1. 1

   Cut lemons in half lengthwise and slice thinly, as if for garnish.

2. 2

   Mash them with the sugar and salt in a large, deep bowl or crock with an old-fashioned potato masher or heavy wooden spoon until the slices give up their juice, the sugar is dissolved and the juice is syrupy, about 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Pour about half the lemon slices into a sieve over a bowl or pot, pressing the solids to release as much liquid as possible.

4. 4

   Discard the solids and transfer the liquid to a serving pitcher.

5. 5

   Repeat the process with the remaining lemons.

6. 6

   Stir in the water until blended.

7. 7

   Add ice cubes or chill, stirring just before serving over ice.