Cut the four washed lemons in half on a clean cutting board. Use a citrus juicer to squeeze the juice into a bowl or measuring cup.
Freshly squeezed juice provides a bright citrus aroma and flavour. Once all four lemons have been juiced, check the juice carefully and remove any seeds that may have fallen into it.
The exact amount of juice produced can vary depending on the size and juiciness of the lemons. This is one reason it is useful to taste the finished lemon-water mixture before deciding whether to add the optional sweetener.
Creating the Lemon Water BasePour the freshly squeezed lemon juice into a large pitcher. Add one litre of cold water and stir gently.
Starting with cold water makes the beverage enjoyable sooner and reduces the need to rely entirely on ice for chilling. It also helps preserve the light character of the drink.
At this point, taste the mixture. If you enjoy a pronounced tart flavour, you can leave it exactly as it is. If the lemons are particularly sharp or you prefer a sweeter beverage, add the optional honey or sugar.
Adding Honey or Sugar
The sweetener is completely optional. For a naturally tart lemon water, simply omit it.
If you prefer a sweeter drink, add 3 tablespoons honey or sugar to the pitcher. Stir thoroughly until the sweetener is incorporated.
Because lemons naturally vary in acidity, the amount of sweetness that feels appropriate can differ from one batch to another. Taste after mixing and adjust according to your preference.
Honey provides a rounded sweetness, while sugar creates a more neutral sweetness that allows the lemon flavour to remain prominent.
Adding Fresh Mint
Fresh mint gives the drink a cool herbal aroma that pairs naturally with lemon.
Take the six mint leaves and lightly crush them between your fingers before placing them in the pitcher. This gently releases their natural oils without requiring the leaves to be finely chopped.
Add the mint to the lemon-water mixture and stir gently. Keeping the leaves whole or lightly bruised makes them easy to remove later if their flavour becomes too strong.
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