Cucumber Mint Shrub Soda Mocktail

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large cucumber, half chopped and half thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar or distilled white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• Ice
• 4 cups chilled sparkling water

Directions

1. Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then bring it to a gentle simmer for 2 minutes.
2. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the chopped cucumber and mint leaves, cover, and let the mixture steep for 20 minutes.
3. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a jar, pressing lightly on the solids. Stir in the vinegar and lime juice, then chill until cold.
4. To serve, fill glasses with ice and a few cucumber slices. Add 1/4 cup cucumber mint shrub to each glass, top with about 1/2 cup sparkling water, and stir gently. Garnish with mint sprigs and adjust with more sparkling water to taste.