Cool Cucumber Cocktail (photo: Santa Margherita)

Santa Margherita, an Italian winery and Sparkling ICE recently provided two refreshing  spring-like cocktail recipes. If you are a fan of lavender, you’ll want to be sure to try the Lavender Lemon Sparkler. The recipe for the Lavender Lemon Sparkler requires a lavender syrup. I would suggest making the syrup in advance.

To celebrate spring, why not add these recipes to your recipe box?

Cucumber Lime & Basil Prosecco Spritzer

Ingredients

1 lime juiced
4 basil leaves
4 cucumber slices
Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore DOCG

Directions

1. Muddle lime juice, basil and cucumber in a shaker glass. (For extra flavour infusion allow mixture to marinate in the fridge for at least one hour.)

2. Add ice and shake mixture.

3. Strain the juice only (about ½ oz.) into a Prosecco glass.

4. Top with Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore DOCG and garnish with a basil leaf and cucumber slice.

Lavender Lemon Sparkler (photo: Sparkling ICE)

Lavender Lemon Sparkler

Ingredients

1½ oz. gin
1 oz. lemon juice
1 oz. lavender syrup (recipe below)
4 oz. Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade
Lemon twist and lavender sprig for garnish (optional)

Directions

Fill a glass with crushed ice. Pour the gin, lemon juice, and the lavender syrup over the ice and stir. Float with Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade, garnish with a lemon twist and lavender spring then serve.

Lavender Syrup

Ingredients

4 tablespoons dried lavender
½ cup sugar
½ cup water

Directions

Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stir to dissolve sugar. Add lavender and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat, and allow the lavender to infuse for 30 minutes. Pour syrup through a finer strainer into an airtight container. If you have any leftover syrup, search the internet to discover the many uses for lavender syrup.

Santa Margherita Prosecco is available at Total Wine stores. Sparkling Ice beverages are available at various stores including some Food Lions, Safeways and Rite Aids.

Enjoy!