It’s natural to be drawn to two types of drinks at Christmas time:  red and sweet and white and sweet.  However, it’s nice to switch things up a little bit. Consider this cocktail, number six in this twelve wassail sprint of ours, to be a palate cleanser.  Lemon, club soda, gin, a bit of simple syrup.  More refreshing than sweet.  Perhaps more summer than winter.  Or, perhaps it’s a rebel that spans the seasons.

Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Tom Collins

Rosemary Simple Syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
2 springs rosemary
Put sugar, water and rosemary in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer for ten minutes. Remove from heat, cool. Stores nicely in the refrigerator.

The Cocktail
3 oz Meyer Lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
4 oz gin
1 oz rosemary simple syrup
12 oz can club soda

Put the lemon juice, gin and rosemary simple syrup in a shaker with ice.  Shake and divide between two glasses.  Split the can of club soda between the two.  Add ice.  Enjoy!