Tarhun (Georgian Tarragon Soda)

Ingredients

Fresh tarragon

1 cup, packed

Water

4 cups

Granulated sugar

1 cup

Lemon juice

1/4 cup, freshly squeezed

Green food coloring

a few drops (optional)

Ice

for serving

Instructions

1. Wash the fresh tarragon thoroughly and pat it dry. Remove the tender leaves from the stems, discarding any tough stems.
2. In a medium-sized pot, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add 1 cup of granulated sugar and stir until completely dissolved to create a simple syrup.
3. Add the tarragon leaves to the pot and allow them to steep in the hot sugar water for about 5 minutes, infusing the syrup with their aromatic flavor.
4. After steeping, remove the pot from heat and let the mixture cool completely to room temperature.
5. Once cooled, strain the tarragon-infused syrup into a large pitcher, discarding the tarragon leaves.
6. Stir in 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice for a refreshing tang. For a vibrant green color, add a few drops of green food coloring and mix until well combined.
7. Chill the Tarhun in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
8. Serve over ice for a refreshing treat, garnished with a sprig of tarragon if desired.