Jalapeno Lime Spritzer Recipes

Steps:

• For the simple syrup: Heat the sugar, water, lime zest, and ginger in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat to boiling. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, and then remove from the heat. Add the lime juice and let the flavors infuse the syrup for at least 15 minutes while it cools. Strain the syrup, if you wish, and keep in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• For the drink: Rub a lime wedge around the lip of the glasses to moisten and then dip in salt or sugar to decorate the glasses, if desired. Pour 1 or 2 tablespoons of the lime syrup into each glass and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a wedge of lime.
• Cook's Note: Sparkling wine can be used instead of water, if desired.

Steps:

• In a pitcher, combine the soda, lime juice, nectar, lime, and jalapeno.
• Serve over ice.

Steps:

• Juice limes and 6 oranges into a large pitcher. (You should have about ¾ cup lime juice and 1¼ cups orange juice.) Discard lime rinds and half of the orange rinds. Cut remaining orange rinds into quarters and place in a large saucepan.
• Coarsely chop 1 jalapeño and add to orange rinds along with sugar and salt. Using a muddler or dowel-style rolling pin, muddle rinds until thoroughly smooshed and much of the sugar and salt is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1 cup warm water and let sit at least 10 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• Strain orange mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into pitcher with juice, gently pressing with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids. Thinly slice remaining orange and add to pitcher. Remove seeds from remaining jalapeño; thinly slice into rounds and add to pitcher.
• To serve, pour 2 oz. juice mixture into an ice-filled glass. Top off with club soda; stir to combine.
• Do Ahead: Juice mixture can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.

Steps:

• Wash and stem the mint leaves, reserving 6 whole sprigs for garnish. Place the mint leaves in the bottom of a sturdy pitcher and add the sugar. Mash the mint leaves and sugar together, using the tip of a wooden spoon -- this extracts the mint oils. Add the lime juice and rum and stir until the sugar is dissolved. The recipe can be made several hours ahead to this stage. However, expect some discoloring in the mint leaves if you make the mojitos more than 20 minutes ahead.
• Just before serving, add the club soda and gently stir to mix. Partially fill 6 highball glasses with ice. Add the mojito mixture and garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh mint.