Rosemary Lemon Spritzer

Ingredients

• 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 5 sprigs fresh rosemary
• plus more for garnish
• 1 liter bottle sparkling water
• 4 ounces ouzo or gin (optional)

Instructions

1. Zest the lemon.
2. Cut 4 slices out of the middle of the lemon and reserve for garnish.
3. Squeeze out the juice and set aside.
4. In a small pan over medium-high heat, stir together the sugar with 1/2 cup water until the sugar dissolves.
5. Bring to a boil, remove from the heat, and add the rosemary sprigs and lemon zest.
6. Let cool to room temperature, strain into a clean jar, and refrigerate until ready to use, or up to 2 weeks.
7. Fill 4 glasses with ice.
8. Fill each glass three-quarters of the way up with sparkling water.
9. Add splash of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of the flavored syrup.
10. Top with ouzo or gin, if using.
11. Garnish with a lemon slice and a small sprig of rosemary.