Limeade or Lemonade

• 6 large limes (one fits in cupped palm) or lemons
• 1 cup sugar
• water and ice to make 1/2 gallon (about 3 cups combined water and ice)

Juice limes or lemons, make sure you have at least 1 cup of fresh squeeze juice and small bits of pulp.  Stir sugar into the juice and microwave on high for 5 minutes.  Stir, making sure the sugar has dissolved completely in the juice.  Add water and ice to make 1/2 gallon and serve chilled.

For extra flavor, grate the  washed and scrubbed exterior of one of the limes or lemons before juicing.  Add this zest to the juice and sugar before heating.

Want to wow your guests?  Frost dry heavy-duty glasses in the freezer for several hours.  Crack ice cubes with a meat hammer or rolling pin.  Remove glasses from freezer, fill half-way with crushed ice and pour the chilled limeade into the frosted glasses.  Garnish with mint leaves or a wedge of lime or cucumber for limeade, or a strawberry or wedge of lemon for the lemonade.