Pomegranate Champagne Punch

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar

• 2 (750 ml) bottles Brut champagne, chilled
• 1 1/2 cups white rum
• 1 1/4 cups pomegranate juice
• 1 large lemon, thinly sliced
• pomegranate seeds
• fresh mint leaves
• ice, 1 block

Directions

1. 1

   Bring 1/2 cup water and sugar to boil in small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves.

2. 2

   Simmer 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Cool syrup completely.

4. 4

   Combine Champagne, rum, and pomegranate juice in punch bowl.

5. 5

   Add enough syrup to sweeten to taste.

6. 6

   Mix in lemon slices, pomegranate seeds, and mint leaves.

7. 7

   Add ice block to bowl.