Squeeze the juice from 3 of the lemons and 2 of the limes; strain the juice into a glass measuring cup (about 1 cup of juice). Thinly slice the remaining lemon and lime, removing the seeds; set aside.

In the bottom of a tall pitcher, use a wooden spoon to gently mash the mint leaves with 1/4 cup of the sugar. Add the strained juice; stir well to dissolve the sugar.

Add the cold water and the remaining 1Ú2 cup sugar to the pitcher; stir well to dissolve the sugar. Taste for sweetness and add more sugar if desired. Add the lemon and lime slices. Chill before serving.

Servings: 8 to 9 cups


Difficulty: Easy