Star Anise and Ceylon Cinnamon Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 16 star anise
• 2 Ceylon cinnamon sticks
• 2 long clementine peels
• 1 cup orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier
• 1 cup lemon juice

Instructions

• Combine sugar with 1 cup water, star anise, cinnamon sticks and clementine peels in a large saucepan and set over high. Bring to a boil, occasionally stirring, until sugar dissolves, and the mixture turns syrupy about 5 min. Remove from heat. Remove cinnamon sticks and peel. Refrigerate syrup until chilled. Fill a pitcher with syrup, star anise, orange liqueur and lemon juice. Pour into eight ice-filled glasses and add one Ceylon cinnamon stick alba and star anise to each glass. You can also garnish it with an orange wedge if you wish.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calorie 229, 
• Carbohydrate 42 g, 
• Sodium 2 mg.