Cherry Mojito

Directions

1. 1
   Bring sugar and 1 1/4 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved.
2. 2
   Remove from heat; let cool completely.
3. 3
   (Makes about 2 cups syrup.)
4. 4
   Syrup can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 month.
5. 5
   Put lime juice into a medium nonreactive bowl.
6. 6
   Halve 2/3 of the cherries; add all cherries to lime juice.
7. 7
   Stir in syrup.
8. 8
   Refrigerate at least 1 hour (up to overnight).
9. 9
   Stir cherry mixture and vodka in a large serving bowl.
10. 10
    Fill 12 glasses with ice.
11. 11
    Spoon 1/2 cup cherry-vodka mixture into each glass.
12. 12
    Top with sparkling water; serve immediately.