Today I’m sharing Floral Citrus Spritzer.
Back when I ran a supper club in the pre-COVID days, I often drew inspiration for my welcome drink from the book Scents and Flavors: A Syrian Cookbook, which is a 13th Century cookbook that was translated into English in 2017. Sandwiched between the sections on scents and perfumes and food, which give a glimpse into the daily life, there are all sorts of delicious drink recipes that are not only meant to be enjoyed, but also claim to cure common ailments.
The themes of the book are decadence and fragrance. The incense, perfumes, drinks, and food all use floral and aromatic components that we would never find today at the supermarket. The original recipes of Citron drink reads like:
Peel citrons and take the sour flesh as a whole pulp. Sprinkle with sugar, and add sour orange juice, borage water, lily water, rose water, and willow water.
The next recipe says that the same can be done above with some “rue and mixed spices” and that pomelo can be used.
My research told me that Citron is one of the first 3 original citrus fruits and closely resembles a lemon. I decided to use blood oranges because I love their dramatic color and flavor, but any combination of pomelo, orange, and lemon can also work beautifully.
For the simple syrup, I mixed a variety of aromatic ingredients to keep the same theme: saffron, ginger, cinnamon, and rose water. It can easily be made into a cocktail with the addition of spirit of choice, or a mocktail without. Some sparkling water tops each cup, and it’s served with a mint or rosemary sprig.
The drink is so refreshing, and the simple syrup definitely adds a certain je ne sais quoi.
I hope you give this recipe a try! If you do, don’t forget to put it in the comments and let everyone know how it works out. Also give me a tag on Instagram! I love to see your creations.
Floral Citrus Spritzer
A decadent, aromatic, and refreshing beverage that can be enjoyed as a cocktail or mocktail.
Serves: 8
Prep time: 10 minutes, plus soaking
Cook time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
2 c citrus juice of any choice (blood orange, pomelo, lemon, orange, mandarin, lime, etc.)
2 1-L bottles sparkling water
Rosemary or mint sprigs to serve
Simple Syrup:
2 c water
A pinch of saffron (about 15 threads)
1 c sugar
1 cinnamon stick
2-inch knob of ginger
1/4 tsp rose water
Instructions:
Soak the saffron in 2 c water in a medium saucepan, allow to sit at least 1 hour.
Add the sugar, ginger, and cinnamon and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove and add the rose water. Cool completely. (Simple syrup can be prepared up to 5 days ahead of time and stored with the ginger and cinnamon in an airtight container in the fridge)
Combine the juice and simple syrup in a pitcher. In a tall glass, add a few cubes of ice and fill about 2/3 of the way with the mixture. Fill the rest of the glass with sparkling water, add an herb sprig, and enjoy!