White Grape Sage Evening Air

White grape juice gives this soda a soft sweetness, while sage brings a woodsy note that makes it feel less like a children's fruit drink. Lime adds a cleaner, sharper finish. Keep the sage to one small leaf and remove it if the flavor becomes too strong. The combination doesn't need a spirit alternative or a complicated syrup. It is an easy, lightly herbal glass for dinner, particularly if you prefer something gentler than a bitter aperitif-style spritz.

Ingredients

• 5 oz Sparkling water
• 2 oz White grape juice
• 1 leaf Sage leaf
• 1/4 oz Lime juice

Make it

1. Prepare the fruit and herbs as listed. Mash soft fruit to release juice; lightly press herbs or thin ginger slices without shredding them.
2. Add the still juices and stir. Strain out seeds, skins or herb pieces if you prefer a smoother texture.
3. Pour in the chilled sparkling water slowly and stir once. Serve immediately, with ice if you like.

Benefits

Lime · a little vitamin C

The 1/4 oz of lime juice adds some vitamin C for absorbing iron from plant foods, with grape and sage rounding out the flavor.

Grape · more than a sweet mixer

With sage and lime in the glass, the measured grape contributes a rounded fruit sweetness as an accent to the fizz.