A refreshing, tart drink for hot weather days

Lemonade is one of summer's most refreshing drinks, but if you prefer the old-fashioned kind with its puckery-tart taste, many of the lemonades available in a carton or in frozen concentrate will be too sweet for your taste.

The alternative is to make your own lemonade, and then you can make it as sweet or as tart as you like.

The following recipe produces a very strong concentrate of lemonade which can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Use as much as you need, mixing it with icy cold water to taste. Or add a little seltzer water for a fizzy drink.

Serve the lemonade in tall, slender glasses filled with ice cubes, with a garnish of a fresh slice of lemon, a sprig of mint, or a fresh strawberry or cherry. Then relax and enjoy this small summer pleasure. Lemonade 6 large lemons 2 cups sugar 2 cups water Lemon slices for garnish

Roll lemons on hard surface to soften them for more juice. Peel with vegetable peeler.

In heavy saucepan, heat sugar and water over moderate heat, stirring occasionally until syrup boils.

Add lemon peel and boil gently, covered, for 3 to 4 minutes. Strain out peel and save it for drinks or baking. Cool syrup.

Squeeze lemons, strain juice, and add to syrup. Refrigerate and use as needed - it will keep several weeks.

To serve, combine syrup with water or a combination of water and seltzer water, using about 3 parts water to 1 part syrup. Add ice and sliced fresh lemon. Makes about 1 quart syrup or 4 quarts lemonade.