You can also make these in a pitcher and serve them as the evening’s party drink. They have the perfect balance of tart and sweet. Great in the summer.

Ingredients

　　1 lime, cut in wedges

　　1/2 cup sugar

　　Handful fresh mint, plus more for garnish

　　1/2 cup light rum

　　Soda water

　　2 pieces fresh sugar-cane stalks (optional)

　　In a martini shaker or wide glass, combine the lime, sugar, and mint. Using a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon, smash and crush everything together to release the oils and juice from the lime rind and mint leaves. When you have some nice juice in there and the sugar begins to dissolve, add the rum and stir it around to combine. Fill 2 glasses with ice, divide the mixture between the glasses, and top off with some soda. Garnish with a couple of mint leaves. For extra pizzazz stick a piece of sugarcane in the glass to use as a stirrer.

　　Reprinted with permission from Tyler Florence's Real Kitchen by Tyler Florence. © 2003 Clarkson Potter