Raising Spirits in the New Year

During the holidays we splurge, we go all out, we eat and drink and celebrate. We go the extra mile, and allow ourselves all of the seasonal indulgences. My Dewey and I certainly had our share of socializing, splurging and indulging. At an intimate gathering of friends that we hosted before Christmas, we had a pitcher of Manhattans and a self-serve Rosemary-Grapefruit Spritz station. We've found that a growing number of friends moderate their drinking throughout the year, so we offered this non-alcoholic cocktail, but had vodka nearby for those who wanted to enjoy a more spirited drink. It was a success.

During Dry January, many people opt for no alcohol all month. The overindulging sometimes requires underindulging to find balance again. For those who've chosen to raise spirits by not consuming spirits this month, here's a recipe that's not fussy and not boring. No alcohol. Just a few easily sourced ingredients for a delicious spritz.

ROSEMARY-GRAPEFRUIT SPRITZ

In a champagne flute or wine glass:

2-3 tablespoons rosemary simple syrup (see below)

4 ounces grapefruit juice

As much selzer or club soda as you wish.

Decorate with a small sprig of rosemary in the glass.

*To liven things up, add a jigger of vodka and reduce the grapefruit juice to 2 ounces.

Rosemary Simple Syrup: Combine equal parts sugar and water (say, 1 cup each) and several sprigs of fresh rosemary--be generous. I had four 6-inch sprigs. Bring to a boil and continue cooking until the sugar has dissolved. Cool, remove rosemary and pour into a small pitcher.