Best Lemonade - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon lemons, rind of or 1 tablespoon lemon, zest of, finely grated (without any white rind)
to taste fresh water
1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice, strained (8 to 10 washed Lemons)
to taste ice cube
3/4 cup club soda (I never use it myself) (optional)

Preparation

Into a 1 quart Jar with tight fitting lid, put sugar and lemon peel, or zest; add 1 1/2 cups very hot water (not from tap!). With lid fitted firmly, shake jar until sugar is dissolved.
Add lemon juice. Refrigerate until chilled.
To Serve: Into each 12-ounce glass, over ice cubes, pour 1/4 cup of the lemon syrup.
Then add chilled club soda or, if you prefer, water.
Stir to mix well.