Raspberry Rosemary Cooler

This is my new favorite drink for sipping on a steamy afternoon with a gathering of friends. It's gorgeous, delicious and tastes like summer! I had something like it at a barbeque last month and tried to recreate it with only a memory of the two key ingredients... and it turned out even better than I had remembered! Raspberries ripened up at the end of the week just in time for our 4th of July cook-out... but have no fear if they're not growing near you, I'm pretty sure it would work with frozen berries, too.

Raspberry Rosemary Syrup

• 2 1/2 cups of water
• 2 cups of sugar
• a quart and a little more of fresh raspberries
• 2 nice sprigs of fresh rosemary

Dissolve sugar (yes, this is a sweet treat!) in  water over a medium flame in a sauce pan. Add berries and rosemary and mash and stir... mash and stir. Let the mixture come to a rolling boil. When the berries begin to disintegrate turn heat down and continue to stir for another minute or two. Allow mixture to cool down a little so as not to scorch yourself (like I did!) and then run it through a food mill. A sieve or cheesecloth might work, as well. Store in a glass jar in the fridge. This makes enough syrup for 3 or 4 pitchers of the cooler below. If you have a crowd, you'll be amazed how quickly it disappears... it's a good one!

Raspberry Rosemary Cooler

1. Into a pitcher, filled with ice cubes, pour a bottle of chilled seltzer and syrup to taste (a bright shade of pink means you're on the right track). 
2. Mix. 
3. Throw in a handful of berries. 
4. Add a splash of vodka for adults.

Enjoy!