I am not a huge water fan. I wish I was but I have the hardest time drinking plain water. So I am constantly looking for refreshing beverages to help cool me down in the hot summer.  I stick to mostly iced tea and lemonade but I stumbled across this spritzer recipe and it is my new favorite drink. Once I've made the syrup I keep it in the fridge and can use as little or as much as I need to spice up my boring glass of water. 

I know I say this about the majority of my recipes but this is definitely simple to make, I promise! Serve these spritzers at BBQ's, picnics or casual dinners, I think they look best in a martini glass :)

Basil & Lime Spritzer

          For the Syrup (makes about 1 cup)

• 3/4 cup sugar
• zest of 1 lime, removed in strips with a vegetable peeler
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup water 
• 1 cup packed fresh basil

          For the Spritzer (these instructions are per serving)

• non-flavored soda water, such as Canadian Dry
• 2-3 TBSP basil-lime syrup (depending on how you sweet you want to make it)
• basil sprigs or lime wedges for garnish

Bring sugar, zest, juice, and water to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let syrup stand, uncovered, 15 minutes.

Discard zest and transfer syrup to a blender. Add basil and blend 20 seconds. Pour through a fine sieve lined with a rinsed and squeezed paper towel (I used cheesecloth) into a bowl or glass measuring cup, then cool.

To serve place 2-3 TBSP of basil-lime syrup in a glass with a few cubes of ice. Fill glass with soda water and stir. Garnish with some basil or lime. Enjoy!