Ingredients

6 large lemons
6 whole cloves
5 cups boiling water
2 cups sugar
Juice of 2 lemons
1 bottle still or sparking mineral water
Lemon slices
Mint leaves
Ice cubes

Directions

Wash and dry the lemons and cut into thick slices. Place in a large bowl with the cloves and pour in the boiling water. Leave to infuse for 24 hours.

Drain and discard the lemon slices and cloves. Place the infused liquid in a large pan, add the sugar and heat gently until dissolved. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes until the liquid is thick and syrupy. Remove from the heat and cool.

Add the fresh lemon juice and pour into a screw-top bottle. Chill.

To serve, put 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon syrup into each glass. Fill glass with still or sparking water. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves, if desired. Add ice cubes. Refrigerate remaining lemon syrup.