Red Pepper Taquería | Sparkling Beet Lemonade

Summer is just days away and in honor of the season, Chef Mimmo Alboumeh of Red Pepper Taquería in Atlanta, Ga. has whipped up a healthy, guilt-free mocktail ideal for sipping on the patio or poolside. Containing all natural ingredients, Chef Mimmo's Sparkling Beet Lemonade aims to refresh on hot summer days and is simple and easy to create. Enjoy! Ingredients: -8 cups water -8 oz local beets peeled, cut in ½ inch slices -1 cup fresh lime -1/2 cup brown sugar -1/2 teaspoon kosher salt -2 cloves -4 fresh mint leaves or basil -1/2 oz agave nectar -4 oz chilled beet juice -1/2 oz fresh lime juice -2 dashes orange bitters -2 orange peels cut 1 inch long -2 oz Perrier sparkling water float Preparation: In a saucepan bring water to boil, add remaining ingredients and cook for 20 minutes. Remove and chill on ice bath. In a bar mixing cup, muddle the mint leaves and agave nectar, add beet juice, lime juice, orange bitters, orange zest and shake well, double strain over ice in pint glass. Garnish with mint leaf and lemon or orange wheel.