Bing Cherry Mojitos - sugar

Method

• Bring sugar and 1 1/4 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved.
• Remove from heat; let cool completely.
• (Makes about 2 cups syrup.)
• The syrup can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 month.
• Put lime juice into a medium nonreactive bowl.
• Halve and pit cherries; add to lime juice.
• Stir in syrup.
• Refrigerate at least 1 hour (up to overnight).
• Stir cherry mixture and vodka in a large serving bowl.
• Fill 12 glasses with ice.
• Spoon 1/2 cup cherry-vodka mixture into each glass.
• Top off with sparkling water.
• Serve immediately.