Citrus Mint Crush

Description
Citrus Mint Crush from the Public Health Cookbook by the Seattle & King County Department of Public Health—original source of recipe, public domain government resource
 * Serves: 4

Ingredients

 * 1¼ cups cold water
 * ½ cup sugar
 * ½ cup tightly packed mint leaves
 * 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (no pith)
 * ¾ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
 * ¾ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
 * 2 cups lemon-flavored sparkling water
 * crushed ice
 * mint sprigs for garnish (optional)

Directions

 * 1) Add water and sugar in a medium saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until sugar completely dissolves, stirring constantly.
 * 2) Remove from heat and let cool completely.
 * 3) Coarsely chop mint leaves and set aside.
 * 4) Add the cooled sugar-water to a medium sized bowl then stir in mint, orange zest, orange juice and lemon juice.
 * 5) Cover bowl and refrigerate until chilled through.
 * 6) Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher.
 * 7) Discard remaining orange zest and mint leaves.
 * 8) Stir in sparkling water then serve over crushed ice.
 * 9) Garnish with a mint sprig.