Summer Mocktail Pitcher (David Venable)

By peridot728

Ingredients

• Strawberry-Mint Simple Syrup:
• 1 1 1 cup sugar
• 1 1 1 cup water
• 1/2 1/2 1/2 cup strawberries, cleaned, hulled, and cut into quarters
• 1/4 1/4 1/4 cup mint leaves
• Mocktail:
• 1/2 1/2 1/2 cup lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 1 1 cup prepared Strawberry-Mint Simple Syrup (see above)
• 1 1 1 pint strawberries, cleaned, hulled, and cut into quarters
• 1 1 1 bunch mint, leaves only
• 1 1 1 qt lemon-flavor Italian soda (or ginger ale)
• 1 1 can 1 (12-oz) can club soda
• Lime wedges, for garnish
• Maraschino cherries, for garnish

Preparation

Step 1

To make the simple syrup, bring the sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan and cook for 2–3 minutes, until sugar has dissolved.

Put the strawberries and mint leaves in a prep bowl and pour the hot liquid over top. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Place the simple syrup in the refrigerator until ready to use. Before using, strain the syrup to remove the strawberries and mint.

To make the mocktail, combine all ingredients, except the garnishes, in a large pitcher and stir to combine.

Serve the mocktails over ice, garnishing each glass with a lime wedge and a maraschino cherry.