Mojito pitcher

Method

• step 1

  Chop each lime into six pieces and drop them into a two-litre jug. Add the sugar and squish the lime wedges with a muddler, or the end of a rolling pin. Keep crushing to get out all the juices.

• step 2

  Pick the leaves off a mint spring and lay them on one of your hands. Clap the other hand on top to bruise the leaves ever so gently, then drop them into the jug. Repeat with the rest of the mint spring.

• step 3

  Fill up the jug about three-quarters full with ice, then add the rum. Stir with a long-handled spoon to mix all the ingredients together gently and top up with the sparkling water. Stir once more, then serve poured into tall glasses with a few extra ice cubes and lime slices.

  Try these 3 twists

  Strawberry mojito
  Muddle 9-10 strawberries, 2 chopped limes and 2 tbsp granulated sugar in a large jug. Bruise the leaves from 2 mint sprigs and add to the jug with a pinch of black pepper. Add lots of ice and stir in 350ml white rum and 600ml sparkling water.
  Blueberry mojito
  Put 100g blueberries, 3 chopped lemons and 2 tbsp granulated sugar in a jug and muddle. Bruise the leaves from 2 mint sprigs and add them to the jug with lots of ice. Pour over 350ml white rum and 600ml sparkling water and stir together.
  Mango & pineapple mojito
  Tip 50g pineapple pieces, 50g chopped mango, 3 chopped limes and 2 tbsp light brown sugar into a large jug and muddle together. Bruise and add the leaves from 2 mint sprigs, then top with ice. Stir in 150ml white rum, 200ml pineapple rum and 600ml sparkling water.