Sugar Free Lemonade- All Phases for FMD

I love lemonade when it is hot outside! It tastes like summer!

It is pretty easy to make, too. Make up a pitcher and enjoy this on all phases of FMD! 

When mixing this up, start with 4 cups water then taste. If it is too strong, add more water. I like mine a bit tart and full of flavor. You may like yours a bit different.

About the sweetener- I prefer to use a mix of stevia and xylitol. I usually add the stevia at the end.


Sugar Free Lemonade
All Phases

1 lemon
2 cups lemon juice
5 cups filtered water

1 1/2 cups xylitol (or stevia equivalent)
1/2 cup filtered water

In a saucepan, put the 1/2 cup water and xylitol and bring to a simmer over medium heat. 
With a vegetable peeler, carefully remove the zest of the lemon. I use very light pressure and back and forth motion (almost a sawing motion) to get JUST the yellow part. Do not get the white part- it is bitter. 
Add the zest to the saucepan and simmer slowly for about 15 minutes. Cool. Strain. Throw the zest away if you want- or you can eat it.

In a large pitcher, squeeze the lemon, add the lemon juice and 4 cups of water. When the simple syrup is cooled, add it to the pitcher and stir. Give it a taste.
If it is too tart, you can add more sweetener. If it is too strong, add the 5th cup of water and taste again. 

Keep in the fridge.