Ingredients

　　1 1/4 cups sugar

　　2 fresh bay leaves or 1 ounce fresh tarragon, fresh mint, fresh lemon verbena, or fresh lemongrass

　　Stir together the sugar and 1 1/4 cups water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved. Add the herbs; remove from heat. Let cool completely. Refrigerate in an airtight container at least 8 hours, or up to 1 day. Before using, pour through a fine sieve into a bowl; discard the herbs.

　　Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group.Buy the full book from Amazon.