Strawberry-Mint Sparkler

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 ounces sliced fresh strawberries from approximately 5 medium berries
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed juice from 1 lime
• 10 mint leaves
• 2 ounces vodka
• 2 1/2 ounces club soda
• Lime wheel, mint, or strawberry for garnish

Directions

1. Add the strawberries, simple syrup, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker, then muddle them until the berries have fully broken down. Drop in the mint leaves and press lightly with the muddler 5 times, just enough to wake them up without bruising them into bitterness.
2. Pour the vodka into the shaker and add ice until it is 2/3 full. Shake until the mixture is cold, about 15 seconds.
3. Pack a Collins glass with ice, then pour in the club soda. Fine-strain the cocktail into the glass and give it a gentle stir. Finish with lime, mint, or strawberry, if you like.