Sparkling Lime Mocktail

• 1/3 cup:sugar
• 10- ounce:package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed
• 1/2 cup:fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup:orange juice
• 1/2 :chilled club soda
• 2 bottles (25.4 ounces each):chilled sparkling white grape juice

Preparation

1. Strawberries, sliced thin, for garnish if desired
2. Thin lime slices, halved, for garnish if desired
3. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar with 1/2 cup water and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, or until the sugar is dissolved. Let the sugar syrup cool completely.
4. In a food processor, puree the strawberries with their syrup and the lime juice, transfer the mixture to a large punch bowl, forcing it through a fine sieve if desired, and stir in the sugar syrup, the orange juice, and the club soda.
5. Chill the mixture, covered, until it is cold.
6. Add the sparkling grape juice slowly just before serving and serve the punch in punch glasses, each garnished with a strawberry slice and a lime slice.
7. Makes 8 to 10 servings