Ginger-Orange Refresher

Name: Ginger-Orange Refresher
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 10 servings.
Ingredients: 3 medium oranges; 1-1/2 cups turbinado (washed raw) sugar; 1-1/2 cups water; 1 cup fresh mint leaves; 8 slices fresh gingerroot; Crushed ice; 5 ounces spiced rum, optional; 1 bottle (1 liter) club soda, chilled

“A sunset in a glass” is how your guests might describe this two-tone cocktail. With or without the spiced rum, it makes a refreshing thirst-quencher for parties any time of year.—Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas

Ingredients

3 medium oranges
1-1/2 cups turbinado (washed raw) sugar
1-1/2 cups water
1 cup fresh mint leaves
8 slices fresh gingerroot
Crushed ice
5 ounces spiced rum, optional
1 bottle (1 liter) club soda, chilled

Directions

Using a vegetable peeler, remove colored layer of peel from oranges in strips, leaving the white pith. Cut oranges crosswise in half; squeeze juice from oranges.
In a small saucepan, combine sugar, water and orange juice; bring to a boil. Stir in mint, ginger and orange peel; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Cool syrup mixture completely.
Strain syrup, discarding solids. To serve, fill 10 highball glasses halfway with ice. Add 2 ounces syrup and, if desired, 1/2 ounce rum to each glass; top with soda.