BLACKBERRY-HONEY LEMONADE

Let's Cook

1. Step 1.

   In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup water and ½ cup honey. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the honey dissolves completely.

2. Step 2.

   Add 12 ounces fresh or frozen blackberries to the saucepan and return to a simmer. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 15 minutes.

3. Step 3.

   Strain the blackberry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl, using a soft spatula to press and smash the berries to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.

4. Step 4.

   Stir ½ cup water and ½ cup lemon juice into the berry juice. Transfer the mixture to a 4-cup jar with a lid. You should have about 2½ cups of concentrated base.

5. Step 5.

   Taste the base and stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons additional lemon juice to achieve a strong, sour flavor. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

6. Step 6.

   While the base chills, prepare lemon slices for garnish if desired. For cocktails, measure ⅔ cup chilled vodka.

7. Step 7.

   After chilling, for lemonade: add 1½ cups water to the base (or enough to reach 4 cups total liquid). Fill eight 12-ounce glasses with ice, pour about ½ cup lemonade into each, and garnish with lemon slices.

8. Step 8.

   For a cocktail: stir the chilled vodka into the base. Fill six 12-ounce glasses with ice, pour in the lemonade, and serve with lemon slices.