Tequila Refresh-Mint...

Since today is the first day of summer, I decided that the occasion called for a refreshing summer drink!  Since I have a big bowl of lemons on my counter, I decided that a sort of a spiked lemonade would be nice!  So I grabbed my bottle of tequila, some vanilla agave syrup I had made, and some fresh mint and whipped up a delicious refreshing cocktail!  Although this drink contains a little sweet with the agave, what you mainly taste is the minty freshness and the tart lemon...the agave just mellows it out.  This sort of reminds me of a mojito, but better!  Celebrate the solstice...make yourself a Tequila Refresh-Mint cocktail and go sit out in the sun on the patio! 

Tequila Refresh-Mint

8 mint leaves, plus more
about 6 ice cubes
1 oz vanilla agave syrup*
2 oz silver tequila
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup ice cubes
fresh mint leaves
about 1/2 cup sparkling water

In a martini shaker, muddle 8 mint leaves with ice, crushing them until they are in small pieces. Add the vanilla agave syrup, Tequila, and lemon juice, place top on shaker, and shake until well blended. Place 1/2 cup ice cubes and a few fresh mint leaves in a tall chilled glass.  Pour cocktail into the glass over the ice, top with sparkling water and serve!
 
*Vanilla Agave Syrup:

1/4 cup water
1/4 cup honey
seeds of one vanilla bean

Heat water until boiling, remove from heat and whisk in honey and vanilla beans, until honey is dissolved. Chill well before using in drinks. Makes 1/2 cup syrup