Tear six mint leaves in half and place in pitcher or punch bowl. Set aside. Combine sugar and water in microwave-safe bowl. Finely chop remaining mint leaves and add to sugar water. Zest the orange, one of the limes and one of the lemons. Add zest to mint and sugar water mixture. Microwave 2-3 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Slice 1 orange, lemons and limes in half. Reserve 1 orange, 1 lemon half and 1 lime half. Juice reserved lemon and limes halves and orange. Add juices to pitcher or punch bowl. Pour mint/sugar water mixture through strainer into pitcher or punch bowl, discarding the chopped mint. Carefully add soda to avoid overflow. Place sliced fruit into pitcher or punch bowl. Stir well, serve over ice. NOTE: For an adult version, add citrus rum. |