Fill your highball glass with ice cubes, packing them fairly tightly.

Cut your lime in half and rinse it under cold water to remove any debris or wax coating.

Squeeze your lime half over a jigger to measure out 1/2 ounce of fresh juice.

Place 10 to 12 fresh mint leaves and 1/2 ounce of simple syrup into a cocktail shaker or mixing glass.

Using a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon, press down on the mint leaves with firm but controlled pressure for about 10 to 15 seconds to release the mint oils without shredding the leaves.

Pour the freshly squeezed lime juice and 2 ounces of Hennessy cognac into the shaker with the muddled mint.

Fill the shaker with ice cubes and seal it tightly, then shake vigorously for about 10 seconds.

Using a cocktail strainer, pour the mixture from the shaker into your ice-filled glass, leaving the shredded mint and ice behind in the shaker.

Add 2 ounces of fresh soda water or club soda to the glass, stirring gently with a bar spoon to combine.

Place a lime wheel on the rim of the glass and tuck a fresh mint sprig into the drink. Serve immediately while the drink is ice cold.