GINGER PEACH SPRITZER WITH ROSEMARY

Ingredients

• ​3/4 cup water
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced peeled fresh ginger, crushed
• 4 cups frozen sliced peaches, thawed
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur, optional
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves
• Ginger ale or sparkling white wine*
• Rosemary-pierced fruit slices, optional

Directions

1. To prepare sugar syrup, combine water, sugar and ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely. Strain sugar syrup through a sieve into a bowl; discard ginger. Sugar syrup may be prepared and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
2. To prepare peach puree, place sugar syrup, peaches, orange juice, Grand Marnier, lemon juice and rosemary in a blender. Blend, using an on/off motion, until peaches are finely chopped. Purée until smooth.
3. For each serving, pour 1/4 cup peach purée into a glass. Stir in 3/4 cup ginger ale. Garnish with a rosemary-pierced fruit slice. Serve immediately. Leftover peach purée may be frozen.