Herbaltini

Ingredients

• 24 fresh mint sprigs (4 in. each), rinsed
• 12 fresh rosemary sprigs (3 in. each), rinsed
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar
• 2 oranges (6 oz. each), chilled, rinsed, and quartered
• 2 1/4 cups gin, chilled in the freezer
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from about 7 limes), chilled
• 1 1/2 cups soda water, chilled
• Fresh mint leaves, rinsed

Preparation

1. 1. In a 2 1/2- to 3-quart pitcher, combine mint sprigs, rosemary sprigs, and sugar. With a long-handled wooden spoon, muddle (or crush) the herbs and sugar together. Squeeze juice from oranges into pitcher, then drop quarters in. Press a few times with spoon to release oil from orange peels. Stir in gin, lime juice, and 1/2 cup ice water. Mix until sugar is dissolved. Serve (see step 2), or cover and chill up to 4 hours (see notes). If using martini glasses, chill in freezer.
2. 2. To serve, slowly pour chilled soda water into the pitcher, down the side. Stir gently to blend. Pour through a strainer into chilled martini glasses or ice-filled glasses. Float a mint leaf on top of each. Serve at once.