Sizzling Summer Lemonade Stand Lemonade

1 cup water
1-1/2 cups sugar
Juice from 5-7 lemons
4 cups cold sparkling water or plain water
Lemon Slices for garnish
Mint Sprigs (optional)

Mix together one cup water with one cup of sugar in small pot. Heat mixture to boiling, stirring constantly until sugar is completely dissolved. Allow water and sugar mixture to cool, pour in pitcher or bowl and refrigerate. Once the mixture has reached desired coldness, add juice from lemons and stir completely. Mix four cups of cold water into lemonade and pour in pitcher adding lemon slices and optional mint sprigs.