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Pollen season got you down? …if you can’t BEE 🐝 them …join them! Pollen was definitely the inspiration for this mocktail I named the Pollinator. just three simple ingredients, honey simple syrup, lemon juice and ginger ale. Give it a try and you will find it very refreshing!

Let’s begin!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons honey simple syrup (directions to make are below…don’t worry, it’s super simple!)

• freshly squeezed lemon juice, from 1/2 a large lemon

• Ginger ale

Instructions

First, make the honey simple syrup:

There is a reason they call this a simple syrup….it’s VERY simple to make, so don’t be scared! Depending on how many drinks you want to make, put two equal parts honey and water into a small pot. (EX: 2 tablespoons honey and two tablespoons water would make enough for two mocktails) Over medium heat, stir until honey is mixed and dissolved into water, about 1-2 minutes. The reason you want to turn the honey into a simple syrup first, is because pure honey would just clump up and not mix well when added to an iced drink, so don’t skip this easy step!

After your honey simple syrup has cooled, for one drink, add ice, 3/4 full to your cocktail glass. Then, pour 2 tablespoons honey simple syrup and 1/2 squeezed lemon over ice. Top off with the ginger ale and stir gently.

Variations:

• Substitute ginger ale for a lemon-lime soda or flavored sparkling water.

• Replace half of the ginger ale with an adult beverage such as gin, rum, or whiskey.

• While making your simple syrup, add a sprig of fresh rosemary or sliced fresh ginger for some added flavor and kick.

🐝Fun idea:

Have a small picnic or gathering with some friends and have everyone bring some spring or bee themed snacks and desserts to share. I made some simple wafer bee cookies by dipping some vanilla wafers in semi-sweet chocolate and adding some round sprinkles I colored yellow (to look like pollen balls) and letting them dry on some waxed paper. Then I melted a small amount of white chocolate and added some yellow food coloring and drizzled over top to make the bee stripes.

The little bees were made by piping an oval of the colored white chocolate out and sticking two sliced almonds in for the wings and using a toothpick to drizzle some of the melted brown chocolate for stripes.

Enjoy!

💜Julie