Pitcher Mojitos

• servings: 6 servings
• total time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup water

2/3 cup packed fresh mint leaves (1 oz.)

2 cups (16 oz.) white rum (such as Bacardí Superior)

1 cup fresh lime juice (from 8 limes)

2 cups club soda

1 lime, thinly sliced into rounds

Lime peel strips

Mint sprigs

Directions

Make mint syrup: Stir together sugar, water, and mint leaves in a small saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium-high, stirring to dissolve sugar. Simmer, undisturbed, until mint wilts and syrup tastes minty, about 3 minutes. Remove and discard mint. Chill syrup until cold, about 30 minutes.

Chill mojito mixture: Stir together mint syrup, rum, and lime juice in a large pitcher. Chill at least 1 hour or up to 3 days.

Finish mojito, and serve: When ready to serve, gently stir club soda into mixture in pitcher, and add lime rounds. Pour evenly into 6 ice-filled glasses. Garnish glasses with lime peel strips and mint sprigs.