Aperitivo time? This fragrant and elegant twist on a G&T is perfect for summer nights

Gin fizz drinks with rosemary sprigs and lemon slices in the glasses — (Image credit: Future)

Rosemary works so well with the botanicals in gin, but simply omit the alcohol to make a refreshing rosemary lemonade for younger guests and non-drinkers.

This versatility means you can easily whip up a batch for a family gathering, offering both spirited summer cocktails or interesting mocktails

Ingredients

Makes 13.5 fl oz of syrup
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 4 sprigs rosemary, plus extra to serve
- 5 fl oz lemon juice
For each serving:
- 1 ½ tbsp or a little less than a shot of gin
- Ice
- Lemon and lime slices or wedges
- Sparkling water

The Homes & Gardens method

Put the sugar in a pan with the lemon zest, rosemary sprigs and 10 fl oz water.
Gently heat through, stirring, to dissolve the sugar. Bring to the boil and simmer for 2 minutes.
Set aside to cool then strain and stir in the lemon juice.
To make each drink, pour gin and 20ml of the rosemary and lemon syrup into a tall glass with plenty of ice, citrus wedges and a couple of rosemary sprigs. Top up with sparkling water.

Stored in a sealed container – such as these six pack of 20 oz glass juice bottles, from Walmart – it’s a handy ingredient to brighten up summer drinks throughout the week. Plus, the syrup’s fresh herbal notes make it a fantastic addition to iced teas or sparkling mineral water on hot days, keeping everyone cool and refreshed.

Alice Hart is a food writer and recipe developer, working across a wide variety of media, from magazines to books. Alice’s recipe books are based on wholesome produce and seasonal eating, and while she takes a balanced approach, using wholefoods and vegetables wherever possible, she also finds joy in an excellent cake. Alice is also invested in sports nutrition and is a Level 3 personal trainer, a seasoned endurance sports competitor and a trained chef.