Peony Rosé Spritzer

Did you know peony petals were edible?  This is a fun fact I learned this year when trying to make the garden blooms I wait all season for last a little bit longer.  Now a few disclaimers,  the peonies from my garden are unsprayed and not treated with anything other than water and good old fashioned sunshine.  If you grow peonies like this, get ready to harvest them and enjoy a refreshing cocktail or two! If you can only source peonies from the store of unknown origins save yourself the trouble and make the same cocktail and sip it while admiring your beautiful store-bought bouquet. For this light and refreshing Rosé Spritzer I made an easy peony simple syrup with peony petals, sugar and water then mixed it with a splash of vodka, a hefty pour of rosé and just a hint of sparkling water.  The end result is a pleasantly floral and highly sippable concoction. And if you are wondering what they taste like, they taste just like they smell; heavenly!  If you want to be a little *extra* make some fancy peony ice cubes as well.  Just add a few petals to an ice tray and fill with distilled (or twice boiled) water until frozen. 

Now, it probably goes without saying, but as with anything you might forage, proceed with caution.  In large doses, the entire peony plant could cause some stomach upset, but I trust none of you plan on eating the entire plant!

Recipe and Headnote Molly Adams