Raspberry Cocktails with Rosemary

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon rosemary needles
• 1 ½ cups frozen raspberries (defrosted)
• juice of 1 lemon (approximately 2 tablespoons)
• 5 tablespoons sugar (¼ cup + 1 tablespoon)
• ¾ cup water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 ½ ounces vodka (or gin)
• ½ ounce St. Germaine elderflower liqueur
• 1 ½ ounces raspberry-rosemary syrup (made from ingredients above)
• ice
• 1 tablespoon soda water
• 1 tablespoon champagne
• ice
• rosemary sprigs
• raspberries

Steps

1. 1

   Add 1 tablespoon rosemary needles to small bowl. Muddle rosemary needles with muddler or back of wooden spoon to release oils.

2. 2

   Place small saucepan on stovetop over high heat. Add muddled rosemary needles, 1 ½ cups frozen raspberries, juice of 1 lemon, 5 tablespoons sugar, ¾ cup water, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch to saucepan. Stir to incorporate, then bring mixture to rolling boil.

3. 3

   When mixture begins to boil, immediately reduce heat under saucepan to low.

4. 4

   Use potato masher to mash raspberries completely, then stir mixture and simmer 10 minutes.

5. 5

   After 10 minutes, remove saucepan from heat and set aside. Let mixture cool completely.

6. 6

   Once cooled, pour mixture through fine-mesh strainer or nut-milk bag and into airtight container. Use immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.

7. 7

   Add 1 ½ ounces vodka (or gin), ½ ounce St. Germaine elderflower liqueur, 1 ½ ounces raspberry-rosemary syrup, and ice to cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously.

8. 8

   Strain cocktail into glass, with or without ice. Add 1 tablespoon soda water and stir to incorporate into drink. Top cocktail with 1 tablespoon champagnethen garnish with rosemary sprigs and raspberries if desired. Serve immediately.