Recipe: Orangeade with Herbs

Orangeade with Herbs
From: the American Institute for Cancer Research

To make this drink, the pulpy juice is extracted from oranges, usually ones from Jaffa, a tart variety rarely seen in this country. The aromatic oil extracted from the skin during the brusque pressing adds a refreshing, faintly sharp counterpart to the sugar used to sweeten the juice. As sparkling water is poured in a glass holding the juice, a fine mist dances up, cooling your face while the mixture fizzes. Avoiding an overflow rush of golden foam at this critical moment requires practice and precision.

Orangeade also brings to mind a revivifying Shaker elixir. A religious group founded in the 18th century, the Shakers lived in communities where farming and hand-crafted goods were as important as their spirituality. The Shakers are famous for the elegantly spare furniture they designed and made. They cared passionately about all aspects of well-being, and loved to eat well. Cookbooks sharing their recipes reveal that they were skilled at using herbs both for flavoring and in tonics. This blend of orange and lime juices, gingerale and herbs - fragrant rosemary, soothing mint and bay leaf - will refresh and delight the senses.

3 Tbsp. coarsely chopped fresh rosemary
1 cup coarsely chopped mint leaves
1 bay leaf
1/3 cup sugar
1 can (6 oz.) orange juice concentrate
3 cups regular (or diet) gingerale
Juice of 2 limes
Ice cubes
4 sprigs mint, for garnish
4 sprigs rosemary, for garnish

Place rosemary, mint and bay leaf in medium saucepan. Add 1 cup water. Bring to boil over medium heat. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Steep 20 minutes. Strain off liquid into small bowl. Mix in sugar.

Pour hot herb syrup into large pitcher. Sir in juice concentrate, gingerale and lime juice.
Half-fill 4 large glasses with ice cubes. Pour in orangeade mixture. Garnish each glass with mint and rosemary sprigs. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings.

Per serving: 197 calories, 0 g. fat (0 g. saturated fat), 50 g. carbohydrate, 1 g. protein, less than 1 g. dietary fiber, 14 mg. sodium.