In a beautiful pitcher, add mint. lime juice and simple syrup and muddle it with a muddler or big spoon. Don’t go kung-fu on it, Be light and gentle on the mint. Add the rum.

You can make this a few hours early and put in the fridge.

Serve the mojito in a tall glass over crushed — yes, only crushed, ice — with a sprig of mint and top with a splash of sparkling water — if you want. I don’t tend to use the sparkling water.

If you really want to impress, add a slice of sugar cane.

And, of course, you can add more or less of anything to suit your taste — from the sugar, to the lime, to the rum.

Simple Syrup Recipe

Combine water and sugar in a small pan and heat on medium until the sugar dissolves. Let cool to room temperature.

Simple Syrup can be kept in a glass container in the fridge for up to a month.