Honey Lemon Balm Spritzers - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup honey
2 cups warm water
1/2 cup limes (or combination of the two) or 1/2 cup lemon juice (or combination of the two)
1 cup cold water
1 cup lemon balm, lightly packed
limes or lemon slice
2 cups cold sparkling water

Preparation

In a large pitcher, mix honey and warm water until honey combined.
Add lime/lemon juice and 1 cup cold water. Mix well.
Crush lemon balm and add to mixture. Using a muddle or wooden spoon handle, smash lemon balm in bottom of pitcher. Add lime/lemon slices and refrigerate mixture until chilled (about an hour).
Once chilled, add 2 cups of cold sparkling water. Stir.
Pour through a strainer into individual glasses over crushed ice.
Garnish beverages with lemon balm leaves and citrus slices
For alcoholic version, stir in 1 oz. of light liquor to each glass.