Happy Hour: Spring Citrus Spritzer

• 1 oz. Vodka
• 1 oz. Champagne
• 2 oz. Grapefruit Soda
• 1 teaspoon Lemon Simple Syrup*

Directions

Mix all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and pour, adding a slice of ruby red grapefruit or other citrus fruit for garnish. For a non-alcoholic version, omit vodka and champagne and replace with tonic or sparkling water.

For your next cocktail night, shop our selection of spring-inspired cocktail dresses below. If you decide to make your own Spring Citrus Spritzer, let us know your happy hour plans in the comments below and share your pics with #lovelulus.

We hope you enjoy this refreshing happy hour concoction!

*You may be able to purchase the Lemon Simple Syrup online (we used Sonoma Syrup’s Meyer Lemon version – so good!) or at specialty food stores and bottle shops, but making your own is as simple as combining sugar, water, lemon zest, and lemon juice. See below for a simple syrup recipe you can use in anything from happy hour cocktails to summer afternoon sweet tea!

Lemon Simple Syrup

(makes about 1 1/2 cups)

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• Juice and zest from one lemon

Directions

Heat sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar has dissolved and the mixture is clear. Remove from heat and add lemon juice and zest, stirring until just combined. Cover the mixture and allow to steep until cool. Once cooled, remove the lemon zest and store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four weeks. (This recipe was adapted from The Pioneer Woman website.)