Martha Stewart's Fresh from the Lab: Bubbling Cocktails

From Martha Stewart Living October 2008. http://www.marthastewart.com/goodthings/fresh-from-the-lab-bubbling-cocktails?

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 8 drinks

Ingredients

• 1  cup water
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  bunch mint leaf
• 6  kiwi fruits, quartered
• 1  liter sparkling water or 1  liter  club soda

Directions

1. In a glass measuring cup, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 cup sugar. Stir until sugar has dissolved; refrigerate until cool.
2. Puree 2 cups packed mint leaves (1 small bunch) with 1/4 cup cooled syrup in a blender. Add 6 peeled, quartered kiwis, and blend until just smooth. Add remaining syrup.
3. Pour through a cheesecloth-lined fine sieve into a pitcher; discard solids. Stir in ice and 1 liter sparkling water or club soda. (For a cocktail version, add 1 cup vodka.) Pour into flasks, and serve with straws.