Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade

[Kitchen Witch]

Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade


3 1/2 cups water
1/2 pound rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
3/4 cup sugar, or to taste
Two 3-inch strips of lemon zest removed with a vegetable peeler plus additional for garnish
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sliced strawberries
1 cup fresh lemon juice

In a saucepan stir together the water, the rhubarb, the sugar, 2 strips of the zest, and the vanilla, bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved, and simmer it, covered, for 8 minutes.

Stir in 1 cup of the strawberries and boil the mixture, covered for 2 minutes. Let the mixture cool and strain it through a coarse sieve set over a pitcher, pressing hard on the solids.

Stir the remaining 1 cup of strawberries and lemon juice, divide among stemmed glasses filled with ice cubes, and garnish each glass with additional zest.