CARRIE'S COOKBOOK - Fresh Mint Pineappleade

FRESH MINT PINEAPPLEADE

3 cup finely diced fresh pineapple
2/3 cup sugar
3 cup water
2/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 5-7 lemons)
all the lemon rinds
1 T chopped fresh mint
1/4 tsp green food colouring, optional

Place 1/2 cup of the pineapple at a time in an electric blender and blend after each addition 1 minute. Put through a sieve. Discard pulp. If blender is not available, chop pineapple fine and put through a food mill or coarse sieve. Set juice aside to use later. Mix sugar and 1c of the water together and bring to the boiling point. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat, add lemon juice, rind and mint. Cover and steep 5 minutes. Pour syrup through a sieve and strain out lemon rinds and mint. Stir in remaining water and pineapple juice. Add green food coloring, if desired. Serve in pineapple cups or glasses with ice cubes. Makes 2 quarts.