Bubby and Bean ::: Living Creatively: Lemon Lime Vodka Spritzers

A few weeks ago, one of my dear friends did a drive-by drop off and left a bottle of Icelandic Vodka on our doorstep, along with a note that said "for you to practice for when you go to Iceland." (For those who don't know, we were supposed to go to Iceland for a week on March 18th, but the trip was canceled due to the Covid-19 crisis.) It was such a thoughtful gift, and we, of course, decided to put it to use.

Since then, I've whipped up my favorite vodka cocktail a few times, and I decided today to share it with you guys. It's such a refreshing drink, and makes me think of sunshine and summer and all of happy things I am craving right now. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Makes 4 cocktails.

INGREDIENTS
6 ounces vodka (1.5 ounces per glass)
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1-2 lemons + 1-2 limes (enough for 1/2 cup of juice)
lemon or lime sparkling water (unsweetened; I usually use lime La Croix)
ice
lemons or limes (for garnish)
course salt for rim (optional)

Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to boil and stir until dissolved. Allow syrup to cool, then chill in fridge. While syrup is chilling, juice the lemons and limes. Combine juice with chilled syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add the vodka and some ice cubes, and shake. (If you don't have a cocktail shaker, just stir it all up and call it good.) Use lemon or lime juice to wet the rims of 4 glasses and dip each rim into the course salt. (You can also use course sugar, but I like the margarita-style bite of the salt.) Add a few ice cubes to each glass, then pour the mixture equally into each glass. Top with sparkling water and garnish with lime or lemon slices.