Marriage Mojitos

A federal appeals court panel ruled on Tuesday that a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage in California violated the Constitution, all but ensuring that the case will proceed to the United States Supreme Court.

If you feel like celebrating, here's the perfect cocktail!

Marriage Mojitos

8 servings, 8 oz. each

It doesn’t matter who you are standing with at the altar as long as you are in love and have minty fresh breath.

60 fresh mint leaves

1 cup sugar

8 limes, divided (slice 4 and juice remaining)

1 bottle cold (750 ml) light rum

1 qt. club soda

Coarsely tear the mint and place in a wide shallow bowl. Add sugar, lime and lime juice; mash with a wooden spoon.  Scrape into 2 qt. serving pitcher.

Fill pitcher with ice. Add rum; stir. 

To serve, pour over ice in tall glasses, filling halfway.  Fill glasses with club soda.  Stir with long spoon.  Top with a sprig of mint and slice of lime for garnish.

Tip:

For an even more potent cocktail, replace the club soda with white sparkling wine.