Recipe: Citrus Apple Spritzers
I'm into making healthy drinks lately because the weather has been gorgeous and the weekly outdoor markets are finally packed with yummy fruits and vegetables. Yesterday I was so inspired when I found lots of citrus fruits including beautiful pink grapefruits and blood oranges. I immediately bought some, headed home, and started cutting and juicing and came up with a very easy little "cocktail" below, only this one doesn't have alcohol (though you could add a shot of saffron-infused gin or top with champagne and you'd have a wonderful cocktail for sure!). I also found some chamomile flowers and lots of citrus-hued tulips so after I made the spritzers I added a few chamomile blossoms to the drinks and then I cut the tulips down very short, removed all of the leaves, and put them in a small ceramic container on my table.
To make the drink you need:
- Lots of yummy citrus fruits like blood oranges, pink grapefruit and oranges. Then just one lemon and one lime.
- Squeeze them all by hand (or use a juicer) and pour through a small strainer into a glass pitcher (to remove pulp and any seeds).
- Fill the pitcher 1/4 of way with squeezed juice.
- Next, fill the pitcher with no-sugar added apple juice. The pitcher should be about halfway full now.
- Add slices of citrus fruits to decorate and flavor the drink.
- Pour into glasses and top with sparkling water or, if you prefer, top with sparkling water, tonic water, and a splash of champagne or saffron-infused gin. It depends on whether you are looking for good health or a good time I guess!
- Cut a few slices of citrus 4 ways and turn over a few times in a shallow bowl filled with white grain sugar. Garnish the drink with the sugared citrus, add as many as you'd like. You can even top with a few chamomile flowers to make it spring-y and pretty.
A very simple farmers' market visit gave me such a boost of health, energy and creativity for under $10! You truly can find inspiration anywhere. I hope that you enjoy this little spritzer and pretty tulips and I wish you a lovely weekend. See you next week!
(photographs/styling: holly becker for decor8)