5-6 clementines, peeled (with a vegetable peeler) and juiced (about 1 cup of juice)
¼ cup water
¼ cup sugar, plus more for sugaring the rim of the glasses
1 small lime, juiced
6 ounces vodka, optional OR seltzer water (If not using vodka, I make up the difference of liquid with more seltzer)
Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine the clementine zest with ¼ cup of water and ¼ cup of sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved, then turn off the heat and let cool to room temperature and chill in the fridge.
Strain the clementine syrup over a sieve, pulling out some of the strips of peel. Lie these flat on a cutting board and julienne for garnishing the drinks later. Julienne some more of the syruped zest and then finely dice. Set aside.
In a pitcher, mix the juice from the clementines, the juice of 1 lime and the cooled simple syrup. Add vodka, if using.
On a small plate, mix a bit of the finely diced zest and a couple of tablespoons of white sugar together.
Select your two favorite, prettiest crystal flutes, dip the glass rims in water, and dip into sugar/diced clementine zest mixture.
Carefully add ice to each glass without disturbing the sugared rims, and add the clementine juice to each. Top with a splash of seltzer and julienned clementine zest. Serve immediately.
Recipe by story of a kitchen at https://www.storyofakitchen.com/drink-recipes/oh-my-darlin-clementine-cocktail-recipe/