Ginger Mojitos for a Crowd Recipe

For the base:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 (4-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated on the large holes of a box grater (about 1/3 cup packed)
• 2 cups tightly packed fresh mint leaves (from about 2 bunches)
• 1 (750-milliliter) bottle white rum
• 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 18 medium limes)

To serve:

• Ice
• 2 1/4 cups club soda, chilled
• 12 fresh mint sprigs

1. In a small saucepan, bring sugar, water, and ginger to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add mint leaves, stir to combine, and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
2. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a 1-1/2- to 2-quart container and strain the syrup, discarding the solids. Add rum and lime juice and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.

To serve:

1. For 1 drink, fill a 10-ounce glass with ice. Add 1/2 cup of the Mojito base, top with 3 tablespoons of the club soda, and stir to combine. Garnish with a mint sprig.