Start by picking through mint leaves – you want the bright green, perky ones without any dark spots. Give them a quick rinse and pat them dry so they’ll release their oils better.

Take hulled strawberries and quarter them – this helps them break down easier. Drop them into a sturdy glass or cocktail shaker along with the mint leaves and sugar.

Now here’s where we build flavor – use a muddler (or the handle of a wooden spoon if you don’t have one) to firmly press and twist the strawberries and mint together. You’ll know you’re doing it right when the strawberries are really broken down and you can smell the mint’s aroma. This usually takes about 30-45 seconds of steady pressure.

Add the fresh lime juice – I always roll my lime on the counter first while pressing down to get more juice out. You should get about 1 ounce of juice from a juicy lime.

Pour in your rum and fill the glass about 2/3 full with ice cubes. If you’re using a shaker, give it a good shake for about 15-20 seconds until the outside gets frosty. If you’re building in the glass, stir well with a long spoon until everything’s combined and the glass feels cold.

Top off with club soda – pour it slowly while stirring gently so you don’t lose all the bubbles. You’ll want about 2-3 ounces, or enough to reach about an inch from the top of the glass.

Give it a quick taste – if it needs more sweetness, stir in a bit more sugar until it dissolves. The drink should be balanced between sweet strawberries, bright lime, and fresh mint.

For garnish, slice a fresh strawberry halfway and perch it on the rim of the glass. Add a couple of fresh mint sprigs – give them a gentle clap between your palms first to release their oils and aroma.