1/2 cup water

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup loosely packed mint leaves

3 cups guava juice, best quality possible

sparkling water, as desired

Method:

1.   In a small pot over medium heat, add water and sugar. Allow to cook while stirring with a whisk until sugar has dissolved, approximately 1 – 2 minutes.

2.   Remove from heat and add mint leaves. Allow to steep off heat for 10 minutes.

3.   Strain reserving simple syrup and discarding mint leaves.

4.   Combine guava juice with simple syrup and stir.

5.   To serve, fill each glass with ice, 1/4 cup – 1/3 cup guava simple syrup, and top with sparkling water as desired. – see kitchen note below.

Kitchen Note:  For more or less sweetness, decrease or increase the ratio of simple syrup to sparkling water. For a grownup version, consider adding a splash of tropical flavored rum or vodka.