Nothing says summer sipping like a refreshing brown sugar mojito.

Brown sugar mojito
Ingredients

• 12 fresh mint leaves, torn + 1 sprig for garnish
• 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 oz Brown Sugar Simple Syrup (recipe follows)
• Crushed ice
• 1 1/2 oz white rum
• 1/2 cup chilled club soda
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters, optional

Directions
1 Add the mint leaves, lime juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker or Mason jar.

2 Use a muddler or wooden spoon to mash the mint leaves and thoroughly combine the ingredients.

3 Fill the shaker half full with crushed ice and add the rum. Cover the shaker with the lid and shake until all the ingredients are well blended and chilled, about 20 seconds.

4 Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice. Top up the glass with the club soda and stir to blend. Garnish with the fresh mint sprig and the Angostura bitters, if using.

Brown sugar simple syrup
Ingredients

• 1 cup golden brown sugar
• 1 cup water

Directions
1 In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the sugar and water to a boil; simmer, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes; remove from the heat and let cool.

2 Store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Makes: 1 drink