Ingredients:

• 6 cups of water
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slices and fresh mint leaves for garnish
• Blueberries and raspberries for color

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, the granulated sugar, cinnamon stick, ground ginger, and cayenne pepper
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved
3. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Let the syrup cool to room temperature. Remove the cinnamon stick
5. In a large pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice and the remaining 5 cups of water
6. Add the cooled spiced syrup to the pitcher and stir well to combine
7. Refrigerate the lemonade for at least 1 hour
8. Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the spiced lemonade over the ice
9. Garnish with lemon slices, fresh mint leaves, blueberries, and raspberries for a patriotic touch