Winter Sun Cocktail

Here's a little cocktail confection to brighten even the most dreary winter day. Clementine juice and a touch of lemon combine with vodka for a bright and happy drink. A sprig of rosemary adds a whiff of wintry evergreen.

We added some lemon zest to a few tablespoons of sugar to create a citrusy sugared rim. The rosemary is almost entirely for the benefit of your nose (and eyes). I was surprised by how much I enjoyed its herbal, piney scent!

This is one of our favorite cocktail creations. Sweet, tart, a little herbal. It goes down really easy (too easy?) Hmmm... I might need to head to the store for another crate of clementines.

Winter Sun Cocktail

• juice of 2 clementines (about 1/4 cup)

• juice of 1/2 small lemon (1/2 oz)

• 1/2 oz triple sec

• 1 1/2 oz vodka

• sprig of rosemary

• lemon zest

• sugar

1. Moisten the rim of your glass with some fruit juice. (The juice helps the sugar to adhere better than water does.) Combine zest and sugar in a shallow bowl or plate. Turn the glass over onto plate and coat with sugar. 2. Pour juices, triple sec, and vodka into a shaker. Shake and then pour over ice. Garnish with rosemary sprig. (Makes 1.)