Mint and Melon Mojitos

• 1medium, very ripe aromatic Charentais or cantaloupe melon, room temperature, peeled and cut into chunks (about 1 quart/1 liter)
• 1⁄4 cup simple syrup (more if your melon is not quite sweet enough)
•  Pinch of salt
• 1⁄2 cup picked mint leaves, plus sprigs, to garnish
• 1⁄2 cup fresh lime juice
• 12 ozgood-quality white rum, like Rhum J.M.
•  Soda water, to top

Preparation

1. 1.

   In a blender, combine the melon, simple syrup, and salt. Buzz until smooth, then chill in the fridge until very cold, roughly an hour.

2. 2.

   Chill six glasses in the freezer. In a large glass pitcher, muddle the mint and lime juice. Pour in the rum, add some ice, and stir until very cold. Strain the rum and lime mixture into the glasses. Into each pour ½ cup melon puree. Top each glass with ice and a splash of soda. Give each drink a quick stir with a mint sprig. Garnish with the mint and a lime wedge.