Flavored Waters

I have done or helped with a zillion weddings for friends and family- and one request after sampling is to always include flavored waters.  This isn't water with cucumbers or mint floating in it to infuse it.  This is a delightful, light drink- more than water and less than punch- perfect for hot days.  You make a simple syrup and add citric acid (see note below) and flavored extracts of choice.  It makes a lot and perfect for parties or family gatherings.

Flavored Waters-

3 cups of sugar 

1 quart of water

Mix together (I put mine in a Rubbermaid pitcher with a lid and shake, shake, shake it.) until sugar has dissolved.

Add 1 T. citric acid (you can purchase this at some Pharmacys.  Walmart might carry it.  Pharmacys can order it or get it online.  It is granular and comes in a plastic bottle. ) and 2 T. (or to taste- I usually do more) of extract of choice. 

For weddings I usually do a strawberry orange and a lemon.  The strawberry orange combo came when I did all three flavors separately for a wedding and at the end put strawberry and orange together and it became my favorite.  Fill big jugs with lots of ice and sliced fruit of the flavor.  You use one part of this simple syrup to 4 parts of water.  I have another pitcher that I mark the fill syrup line to and then fill water to make whoever is serving it consistent.  Pretty in a punch bowl as well.