Sparkling Lime Mint Cooler Mocktail

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup turbinado sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 limes
• 1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves
• Crushed ice
• 2 ounces chilled strong green tea
• 1 ounce bitter lime mint syrup
• 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
• 4 ounces cold club soda
• Lime wheel and mint sprig, for garnish

Directions

1. Make the syrup by combining the turbinado sugar and water in a small saucepan. Use a vegetable peeler to remove wide strips of zest from 1 lime, then halve that lime and squeeze in the juice. Add the squeezed lime halves and zest to the pan.
2. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let it bubble softly for 8 to 10 minutes, then remove it from the heat. Stir in the mint leaves, let them steep for 10 minutes, then strain the syrup into a jar and chill.
3. For each drink, fill a tumbler with crushed ice. Add the chilled green tea, 1 ounce of the syrup, and the fresh lime juice, then stir until the glass feels cold.
4. Top with club soda and stir gently once or twice to combine. Garnish with a lime wheel and a mint sprig, then serve right away.