Sparkling Lemongrass Coolers

• 4 plump lemongrass stalks, cut into 2-inch lengths, lightly crushed
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• Ice cubes
• Ginger beer or seltzer
• Rum

1. In a saucepan, combine the lemongrass, water and sugar; bring to a boil, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
2. Remove from the heat, cover and let steep until cool, about 3 hours.
3. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve and discard the lemongrass.
4. Stir in the lime juice.
5. Fill 8 tall glasses with ice.
6. Add 1/2 cup of the syrup to each glass.
7. Top off with ginger beer or seltzer and a shot of rum.

lemongrass stalks, water, sugar, lime juice, cubes, ginger beer

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/sparkling-lemongrass-coolers (may not work)