Boil water, sugar, herb of choice or ginger in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer for about 5 minutes.

Pour syrup through a sieve, pressing out as much syrup as you can. Discard solids and cool. Add cooled syrup to the sparkling water to taste. Store remaining syrup in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to one week and use to flavor lemonade, iced tea, Popsicles and cocktails.

Special notes:

Mix and match an endless variety of fresh organic fruits and culinary herbs to make the perfect DIY spritzer.

Mint lends a cooling touch and tastes especially refreshing with cucumber, watermelon, mango or cherries. Muddle the mint to add to a beverage or add a sprig for garnish.

Basil adds a fresh green and lively note to the sweetness of watermelon, lychee, coconut and cantaloupe, along with a heavenly fragrance of summer. Also lovely with lime.

Rosemary lends aromatic sophistication to lemonade and combines well with apricots, peaches, citrus, strawberries and rhubarb.

Fresh ginger invigorates any beverage and plays especially well with peaches, plums, pineapple, citrus and lime, as in this Ginger Limeade.