Minted Orange-Lemon Fizz

Ingredients

• 0.8 cup juice of lemon fresh
• 0.5 cup tightly mint leaves packed
• 0.8 cup orange juice unsweetened
• 1 tablespoon orange rind grated
• 2 cups seltzer water lemon-flavored chilled
• 0.7 cup sugar 
• 1.3 cups water 

Equipment

• sauce pan
• sieve

Directions

1. Combine 1 1/4 cups water and sugar in a small saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves.
2. Remove from heat, and let cool completely.
3. Combine sugar mixture, 1/2 cup mint leaves, and next 3 ingredients. Cover and chill.
4. Pour mixture through a wire-mesh strainer into a pitcher, discarding mint and orange rind. Just before serving, stir in sparkling water.
5. Serve over ice.
6. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, if desired.