Moscow Mule Cocktail

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Mint-Flavored Vodka, recipe follows
1 1/2 cups Ginger Simple Syrup, recipe follows
2 cups sparkling water
Garnish: fresh mint sprigs, lemon slices, lime slices


Directions


For each cocktail, fill a cocktail shaker with 1/4 cup of ice. Add 1/4 cup Mint-Flavored Vodka, 1/4 cup Ginger Syrup and 1/3 cup sparkling water. Shake and pour into a tall glass or flute. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, lemon slices and lime slices just before serving.

Mint-Flavored Vodka:
2 large bunches fresh mint
One 750-milliliter bottle vodka


Place the mint in a 2-quart pitcher. Pour the vodka over the mint and cover with plastic wrap. Allow the mixture to stand for at least 3 days at room temperature.

Ginger Simple Syrup:
1 cup sugar
One 3-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped


In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, 1 cup water and the ginger over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes. Strain before using.