Wednesday, 2 April 2014

Rosemary Citrus Spritzer

When mixing non-alcoholic spritzers, we love using fruit and herbs for a sweet yet grown-up flavor – think blackberry and mint, strawberry and basil, and our latest favorite: rosemary and citrus. Serve this soda as an alternative to mimosas at brunch, or sip outside on a warm afternoon. (P.S. You can still add gin or vodka if you want a little kick!)

When we served this, one person compared it to Orangina with an herbal note. There's just enough rosemary to infuse the drink with an intriguing, yet not overpowering, aroma. Lemons and oranges give it a refreshing tartness, and honey rounds out the sweetness. We're thinking this syrup could make a delicious granita, too!

Ingredients:
2 lemons
2 oranges
4 (4-inch) sprigs fresh rosemary
3/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup honey
Ice
Soda water
Rosemary and lemon for garnish (optional)

Method:
Peel off thick strips of zest from 1 lemon.
Juice the lemons and oranges into a liquid measuring cup – you should have about 1 cup of juice. Top off with water if necessary to make 1 cup.
Combine zest, juice, rosemary, sugar, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugars.
Remove from heat and let sit 10 minutes. Strain, discard solids, and let syrup cool completely.
To serve, fill an 8-ounce glass halfway with ice cubes, add 2-3 tablespoons syrup, fill with soda water, and stir. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and/or lemon slices, if desired.

Variations: 
• Use 1 cup lemon juice and omit oranges.
• Use 1 cup sugar and omit honey.
• Add a splash of gin or vodka to the glass.

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