The Midsummer Spritz Mocktail

By request of your A/C (give it a li’l break), we concocted the perfect summer cooldown bev. Guiltless by alcohol-free nature and only requiring some simple ingredients, add to your favorite tumbler and seek refuge at the cabana. Wind down, you’ll only be getting up for seconds.

Ingredients

• Sparkling water
• Grapefruits (1/2 per serving)
• Bitters (Angostura or Orange)
• Fresh basil

For lemon simple syrup: 

• 4 medium lemons 
• 1/2 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Make simple syrup: Zest and juice lemons. Combine the juice with the sugar in a saucepan and boil for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, add zest, and let it rest until cool. Strain. 
2. Juice your grapefruit. 
3. Put the juice of about half a grapefruit into each glass. 
4. Stir in two tablespoons of simple syrup (or more to taste).
5. Add ice and a drop or two of bitters. 
6. Fill up most of the way with sparkling water, and stir gently. Add a sprig of basil, or a few if you're feeling bold.
7. Find a cabana, stat.