Moscow Mule with lemonade

Ingredients:

Cocktail

• 1 piece unpeeled ginger (15 cm), cut into very thin circles
• 1.25 cups maple syrup or 1.5 cups brown sugar syrup (recipe below)
• Juice of 6 lemons (about 1 cup)
• 170 ml of chilled vodka
• 450 ml chilled sparkling water

Brown sugar syrup

• 1 cup brown sugar

Preparation:

1. Set aside 8 slices of ginger for garnish. Place the remaining slices in a small saucepan with the maple syrup and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Cook for 10 minutes. Cool at room temperature for about 1 hour.
2. Strain the cooled ginger mixture into a large measuring cup, pressing down with a wooden spoon or spatula to extract as much flavor as possible, then discard the ginger. Stir in the lemon juice and vodka.
3. To serve, fill 4 tall glasses with ice. Divide the lemonade evenly between them and top with sparkling water. Garnish each serving with 2 slices of ginger and serve immediately.
   
   Brown sugar syrupPlace the sugar in a small saucepan, stir in 1 cup of water, and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Cool completely before using.