Umami Mart's Happy Hour column offers up a two-part primer on simple syrups. In this week's installment, it explores fruit-infused simple syrups and offers several recipes, including this "spring-beckoning" cocktail:

If you're as ready for spring as I am, you'll enjoy this next recipe which incorporates the Meyer lemon syrup and sparkling sake for an amazingly refreshing drink I call a Sparkling Sake Lemonade.

Even if you don't booze it up, the rambutan or Meyer lemon syrups would be great just mixed with a glass of seltzer. [via David Lebovitz]