Drink recipes: Flowered Wine Spritzer

FLOWERED WINE SPRITZER

Serves 4.

Note: Think spritzer with decoration. Edible flowers are usually sold in the fresh herb section of the produce department. Adapted from "Party Drinks," by A.J. Rathbun.

• 16 oz. (2 c.) chilled white wine

• 16 oz. (2 c.) chilled club soda

• Edible flowers (see Note)

Directions

Variation: No edible flowers? Drop 2 or 3 frozen raspberries into each glass or small frozen strawberries (or a strawberry slice).

RASPBERRY FRUIT PUNCH

Serves 12.

Note: For a nonalcoholic version, substitute an additional 3 cups pineapple juice for the rum. From "Punch," by Colleen Mullaney.

• 2 c. Raspberry Purée (see below)

• 2 c. orange juice

• 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

• 3 c. light rum

• 4 c. ice cubes (or ice ring with raspberries)

Directions

To make Raspberry Purée: In a blender, process 4 cups fresh or frozen raspberries to a smooth purée. Strain purée into bowl through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds, pushing on mixture with back of wooden spoon to extract all the juice. Refrigerate until chilled or add to the punch immediately. Purée will keep covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days.

BLOODY MARY

Serves 1.

Note: From "Drink-ol-o-gy/The art and science of the cocktail," by James Waller.

• Lemon wedge

• 1/2 c. tomato juice

• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

• 1/4 tsp. fresh, grated horseradish

• 1/4 tsp. Tabasco sauce

• 2 or 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce

• Celery rib, preferably with leaves

Directions

Rub a tall glass with lemon wedge and fill the glass with ice. Combine the vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, horseradish, Tabasco and Worcestershire in a cocktail shaker, with ice. Shake well, and strain into glass.

Squeeze lemon wedge into drink, then drop it in. Salt to taste, stir briefly, and garnish with celery.

CHAMPAGNE FIZZ

Note: To make simple syrup, warm equal parts sugar and water over medium heat until the sugar has melted; cool to room temperature. From "Drink-ol-o-gy/The art and science of the cocktail," by James Waller.

• 1 oz. (1/8 c.) gin

• 1/8 c. fresh lemon juice

• 1/2 tsp. simple syrup (see Note)

• About 1/2 c. dry sparkling wine

Directions

Combine gin, lemon juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker, with ice. Shake well, and strain into a flute.

Gently top with sparkling wine. Garnish with lemon or orange slices.

APEROL SPRITZ

Serves 1.

• Ice cubes

• 3 oz. (3/8 c.) Prosecco or other sparkling wine (see Note)

• 1 to 2 oz. (1/8 to 1/4 c. ) Aperol (see Note)

• 1 splash of sparkling water or club soda

• Slice of orange, for garnish

In a tall glass, add ice cubes and Prosecco. Add Aperol and sparkling water. Float orange slice in drink to infuse flavor.

ROY ROGERS

Serves 1.

Note: From "The Ultimate Liquor-Free Drink Guide," by Sharon Tyler Herbst.

• 1/4 c. fresh orange juice

•3/4 c. chilled ginger ale

• Maraschino cherry, for garnish

Directions