Honey Lemon Balm Spritzers Recipes

Steps:

• In a large pitcher, mix honey and warm water until honey combined.
• Add lime/lemon juice and 1 cup cold water. Mix well.
• Crush lemon balm and add to mixture. Using a muddle or wooden spoon handle, smash lemon balm in bottom of pitcher. Add lime/lemon slices and refrigerate mixture until chilled (about an hour).
• Once chilled, add 2 cups of cold sparkling water. Stir.
• Pour through a strainer into individual glasses over crushed ice.
• Garnish beverages with lemon balm leaves and citrus slices
• For alcoholic version, stir in 1 oz. of light liquor to each glass.

Steps:

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