It’s Saturday afternoon and the sun is coming out in full strength, and did I mention that you’re throwing a cocktail party! You need something to cool your guests off and melt away the summer sun. Now you may not think of Rye as being refreshing, but pair that with a little lemon syrup, seltzer water and a lemon peel and you’ll change your tune.

Rye to me is like an unsweetened bourbon, it’s a little rough around the edges, but I like it that way. That’s why I chose to make this cocktail with Rye, because once you add the lemon syrup it balances out. If you where to use a bourbon, it most likely would be too sweet. If bourbon is all you have just cut the sweetness with extra seltzer.

Earlier this week we made candied lemon peels for a tart and had leftover syrup. Use it here to make this cocktail.

Summer Lemon Rye

Ingredients

• 1 part lemon syrup (see our previous post here to get the recipe)
• 2 parts Rye

Instructions

1. Combine lemon syrup and rye in glass, stir.
2. Top with seltzer.

Enjoy!