Meet my sister, culinary genius, Lauren Braun Costello.

I know, I know… Using the words ’sister’ and ‘genius’ in the same sentence might put your nepotism radar on high. But once you’ve had her hand-made mini ice-cream sandwiches served on a bed of rainbow sprinkles, or her fig and goat cheese wontons, I know you’ll be singing her praises too!

Lauren is chef/ owner of Gotham Caterers here in New York, co-creator of our food-themed greeting card line, and mother to my favorite nephew in the world- Jonathan Avery.

Lucky for me, I got the Gotham treatment when Lauren threw me a surprise birthday bash a few years ago. The aforementioned dishes were on the menu, as well a twist on my favorite cocktail- a kir royale.

Instead of adding the standard créme de cassis to champagne, Lauren poured a spoonful of a simple syrup flavored with the juice of blood oranges to the bottom of every flute.

How To Make Your Own Flavored Syrup

Simple syrup is made by dissolving 2 parts sugar to one part water:

Add 2 cups of sugar to a heavy saucepan over a low heat. Add one cup of water and stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar almost dissolves completely. Cover and simmer for two more minutes. Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool.

To add any citrus flavor, stir in your juice of choice. For herbs, add a bunch once the syrup is off the heat. Cover and let it stand for 20-30 minutes, or longer for a stronger flavor. Strain and discard the herbs.

Lauren’s killer spring cocktail is lemonade dressed up with Thyme simple syrup (also great spiked), and a Rosemary-infused iced tea.

Try it and let me know what you think!