Celebrating the weekend: Rosemary Lemonade with Vodka

After the LONG week, I was searching for a cocktail to help celebrate the weekend.  Or rather, help us deal with the ending of it this afternoon.  🙂

So, I was looking through an old copy of Food Network Magazine and found a recipe attributed to Marcella Valladolid:  Rosemary-Infused Lemonade.    The drink is described as such:   “Rosemary brightens this lemonade with its beautiful aroma and give the drink and unexpected grown-up twist.”

Well, to make it even more grown up, I added vodka.

I love this drink—with and without the vodka.

Rosemary Lemonade with Vodka

6 c. water
1 large sprig rosemary (about 6 inches)
pinch of salt
1 c. fresh lemon juice
1/2 c. agave nectar (or less for more tartness)
Vodka

Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan.  Turn off heat, add rosemary sprig, salt, and cover to steep.  Let steep for 30 minutes.

After steeping.

Remove sprig and pour into a pitcher and let cool to room temperature.

Stir in lemon juice and agave nectar.  Pour over ice in individual glasses leaving enough room for vodka.  Add 1-2 shots of vodka (your preference, but it was a hard week) to each glass and stir.

Garnish with another sprig of rosemary.

What a refreshing drink for summer!

I love rosemary and always have an abundance of it growing in the herb garden.  (Our monster rosemary has over-wintered the past thirteen years.)

Needless to say, I use it quite often.  Here are a few of my other favorite rosemary dishes.

• Tuscan Flatbread with Rosemary
• Rosemary Spiced Almonds
• Rosemary Foccacia Buns
• Ancho Chili  and Rosemary Spiced Nuts
• Tuscan Sunset (another cocktail)
• Infused Olive Oil with Garlic,Rosemary,and Peppercorns
• Garlic-Rosemary Jelly
• Rosemary Lemon “Under Skillet” Chicken

The only recipes I don’t have for rosemary are desserts!   (Give me time!)

Hope you enjoy this little libation and hope you had a great weekend!