• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 large sprig mint , finely chopped, plus sprigs for garnish
• 8 ounces lemon-flavored vodka
• Splash of sparkling water
• 1 Tbsp. freshly grated lemon zest for garnish

Mix the sugar and water in a small pot and boil for 3 minutes to make a simple syrup. Let cool.

In medium bowl, stir together 1 cup syrup (leftover syrup can be refrigerated indefinitely), the lemon juice and the chopped mint. Pour mixture into ice-cube tray and freeze for one hour.

In a blender, blend together frozen cubes, sparkling water, chopped mint and vodka.

Pour into chilled glasses. Garnish with mint sprigs and lemon zest.