Step #1 Place water & barley in a 1 1/2 quart pot.
Step #2 Bring to a boil.
Step #3 Let boil until liquid is reduced by half, approximately 10 to 15 mins, which allows the natural sugars to come out of the barley.
Step #4 The remaining liquid should be brown.
Step #5 Drain the barley, saving the liquid, & either eat the cooked barley or throw away (it's only 2 tbsps).
Step #6 Return the liquid to the pot & add up to 2 tbsp sugar, or other sweetner of choice.
Step #7 Simmer the liquid for about 15 mins.
Step #8 If you want, at the end of simmering for 15 mins, for me personally, add up to 2 tbsps lemon juice (although, adding lemon juice would just get in the way of the barley flavor).