CopyCat Recipes: Red Robin Freckled Lemonade

Almost-Famous Strawberry Lemonade
Source: Food Network Magazine
Makes: 6 drinks

Ingredients:

Zest of 1 lemon, in wide strips
2     cups sugar
2     cups chopped hulled strawberries
2     cups fresh lemon juice (from about 10 large lemons)
1/4  teaspoon salt

Directions:

1.) Make the lemon syrup: Bring the lemon zest, 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring, until the sugar dissolves; Let cool to room temperature.

2.) Meanwhile back at the ranch (remember that book?), make the strawberry syrup: Toss the strawberries and the remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a bowl and let sit at room temperature until the sugar dissolves, about 45 minutes.  Strain the strawberry mixture, reserving the strawberry syrup and berries separately.

3.) Mae the lemonade: Combine the lemon juice, lemon syrup, salt and 2 cups of cold water in a pitcher.  For each drink, put about 1 tablespoon of the strawberry syrup in a tall glass.  Fill with ice, then top with the lemonade and some of the reserved strawberries.

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To be honest, I've actually never had this in real life, and can count on one hand the times I've been to a Red Robin. This was way too sweet for my liking, but that's coming from someone who prefers unsweetened tea and thinks sweet tea tastes like a pitcher of sugar and water.  So please do not let me opinion deter you from making this!

Notes:

-You can save yourself some time and arm strength buying lemon juice, as 2 cups was more than 10 lemons.  I only had 11 lemons and that wasn't enough, so I added about 1/4 cup water to sustain it. 
-If I make it again, I will cut the lemon syrup in half to cut back on the sweetness of it.  Again, this is a personal preference!