Sparkling Lime-Mint Coolers

• MAKE-AHEAD

Ingredients

1. 13 limes
2. 2 cups water
3. 1 1/2 cups sugar
4. 2 bunches of mint (2 ounces), 12 small sprigs reserved, the rest coarsely chopped (with stems)
5. 8 cups chilled sparkling water
6. Ice

1. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from 8 of the limes, leaving behind as much of the bitter white pith as possible. Juice all 13 limes.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the water with the sugar, chopped mint and lime zest strips and bring to a simmer. Cook over moderate heat for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 30 minutes. Strain the syrup into a large pitcher. Stir in the lime juice and sparkling water. Serve in ice-filled glasses, garnished with the mint sprigs.