A few years ago, we had a server and a bartender who were in the middle of a “cleanse.” We tried their sordid-looking “drink” and decided to make our own, with booze, of course. Serve in a lowball glass.

Ingredients

　　1/2 cup (150 g) maple syrup

　　1/2 cup (125 ml) fresh lemon juice

　　Pinch of cayenne pepper

　　1 ounce (30 ml) bourbon

　　Soda water to top up

　　In a small, heavy pot, combine the maple syrup and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Add the cayenne, remove from the heat, and let cool. Measure 1 1/2 ounces (45 ml) and mix with the bourbon; reserve the remainder in the fridge for more drinks. Pour over ice and top up with soda.

　　Reprinted with permission from The Art of Living According to Joe Beef by Frédéric Morin, David McMillan & Meredith Erickson, copyright © 2011. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House, Inc.