Mojito

1. Place approximately eight mint leaves at the bottom of a 12 oz. glass. Add crushed ice, 1-1/4 oz. spiced rum, 1/2 oz. lime juice and a tablespoon of sugar.

2. Mix these ingredients together with a spoon or straw until the sugar is incorporated.

3. Add 2 oz. of soda water and mix again. Garnish with several more mint leaves.

Mint Julep

1. Boil 1 cup of water with 1 cup of sugar for five minutes and pour this liquid over a sprig of mint leaves. Crush into a syrup. Refrigerate until you are ready to mix drinks. You can also buy mint syrup, though this is frowned upon in states where the mint julep is a traditional drink.

2. Crush approximately four mint leaves in the bottom of an 8 oz. glass with the back of a spoon. The result should be a pasty mixture.

3. Fill the glass about halfway with crushed ice and add 2 tablespoons of the prepared mint syrup mixture. Add 2 tablespoons of water and 2 oz. of bourbon.

4. Stir all ingredients together until the glass frosts on the outside. Garnish with mint leaves.

Aquapolitan

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, approximately 1 cup. Add 3 oz. of grapefruit juice, 5 oz. of vodka and 1-1/2 oz. of cranberry juice.

2. Crush eight mint leaves and three drops of Tabasco sauce together. Mix 3 tablespoons of sugar and 3 tablespoons of soda water together. Add both mixtures to the shaker and shake vigorously until the shaker turns frosty or about two minutes.

3. Strain the drink into cocktail glasses using the strainer on the shaker. Add 1 tablespoon of champagne to each glass. Do not mix.

4. Place a lime wedge on the rim of each glass for garnish, or add a couple of mint leaves to each drink.

Cool Collins (Non-alcoholic)

1. Pour 2 oz. of fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of sugar into a "Collins" glass, which is a tall thin glass for mixed drinks. Stir until sugar is incorporated; superfine sugar works best.

2. Add seven mint leaves and crush them against the sides and bottom of the glass using the back of a long spoon. Add as much ice as desired.

3. Fill the glass to the top with water, stir briefly and place a lemon wedge on the rim for garnish.