Citrus And Mint Champagne Punch - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups firmly packed torn mint leaves, plus sprigs for serving
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup gin
1/4 cup fresh lime juice, plus lime wheels for serving
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
750 ml champagne

Preparation

Combine mint leaves, 11/2 cups water, and sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until sugar is dissolved, about 4 minutes. Cover pan, remove from heat, and steep 10 to 15 minutes. Pour mixture through a fine-mesh strainer, discarding solids, and let cool completely.
Stir together gin, lime juice, lemon juice, and mint syrup in a punch bowl. Top with champagne. Serve punch over ice, garnished with mint sprigs and lime wheels.