Mojito cocktail with vodka

Ingredients:

Cocktail

• 1.5 cups simple mint syrup, recipe below
• 1 cup of chilled vodka
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2-3 large limes)
• 1 cup sparkling water, chilled
• Ice
• Fresh mint sprigs, for serving

Simple mint syrup

• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves

Preparation:

1. In a pitcher, combine mint syrup, vodka, lime juice, and sparkling water. Pour the cocktail into glasses filled with ice and garnish with mint sprigs.
2. Simple mint syrup:
   
   In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and mint leaves and heat over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool for 20 minutes. Strain, pressing down on the mint leaves to extract as much syrup as possible.
   Exit: 1.5 tbsp.