Active Time

　　15 min

　　Total Time

　　30 min

　　This sweet-tart syrup will be enough for both the rickeys and the fruit cup.

Ingredients

　　2 1/2 cups sugar

　　1 cup water

　　6 tablespoons fresh lime juice, strained through a fine-mesh sieve

　　4 drops green food coloring (if making cherry lime rickeys)

　　Stir together sugar, water, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until syrup has thickened slightly, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a glass measure and chill, uncovered, until cool, then stir in lime juice and food coloring.