Makes 12 servings

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

2 750-ml bottles chilled brut Champagne

1 1/2 cups white rum

1 1/4 cups pomegranate juice

1 large lemon, thinly sliced

Pomegranate seeds

Fresh mint leaves

1 ice block

PREPARATION

Bring 1/2 cup water and sugar to boil in small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer 5 minutes. Cool syrup completely.

Combine Champagne, rum, and pomegranate juice in punch bowl. Add enough syrup to sweeten to taste. Mix in lemon slices, pomegranate seeds, and mint leaves. Add ice block to bowl.

Note: If you have a tall cylindrical serving container it is really nice to keep the mint on the stems for presentation.