Golden Beet and Lemon Gin Fizz

Ingredients

• 1 pound golden beets
• trimmed and peeled
• 3 ounces gin
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice plus 1 strip lemon peel
• pith removed
• 2 tablespoons Simple Syrup
• recipe follows
• 2 ounces club soda
• 1 cup sugar

Instructions

1. Special equipment: a juicer
2. Pass the beets through a juicer according to the manufacturer's directions.
3. Pour the beet juice, gin, lemon juice and Simple Syrup into a shaker two-thirds full of ice cubes.
4. Shake well.
5. Strain into a tall, chilled cocktail glass.
6. Top off with the club soda and garnish with the lemon peel.
7. Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.
8. Let cool.
9. The syrup will keep for 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
10. Yield: 1 1/2 cups.