What better way to cool off in this heat than with a refreshing glass of lemonade? With the infusion of ginger and mint, they make this lemonade extra quenching, along with the option to make it grown-up.

There's a reason why we drink lemonade on hot days, it is very refreshing and this lemonade is also good for you, there's Vitamin C from the fresh lemons, ginger is great for digestion and the mint has antioxidants. Since today is Friday and I think everyone is ready for the weekend, there's an option to make this lemonade grown-up, but be warned, it goes down very easily and you wouldn't even know it's spiked. But it doesn't have to be just for the grown-ups, that's why the recipe is for the lemonade first, then the vodka is added when the drink is served.

I chose to use agave nectar for this lemonade and it turns out you don't need as much as you would if you were using sugar. This way you don't get that sugar spike with the agave nectar which makes a perfect drink for diabetics, along with a lot less carbs. If you want to use sugar you can replace the agave nectar with 3/4 cup sugar.

Ginger Mint Lemonade
Ingredients (serves 6)

-- 4 1/2 cups water
-- 1/2 cup agave nectar (or 3/4 cup sugar)
-- 6 slices fresh ginger
-- 25 spring mint
-- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
-- 1/3 cup cranberry juice, chilled
-- Lemon slices
-- 9 ounces vodka (optional)

1. Bring to a simmer and cook for five minutes.

2. Remove the ginger and mint, transfer to a pitcher

3. To the pitcher or add the rest of the mint, lemon juice, cranberry juice and lemon slices

4. Refrigerate until cool.

5. To serve, pour over ice.

6. Add three ounces of vodka (optional)