Tear up the basil leaves and place them in a tall glass.
Use a wooden spoon or "muddler" to gently crush the basil. This releases the flavor from the leaves.
Add pomegranate juice, lime or lemon juice, maple syrup and rum (if you are using it).
Stir to blend in the maple syrup.
Fill the glass with ice.
Add soda.
Garnish with a sprig of basil and a few pomegranate seeds or raspberries
Serve it with a straw to prevent the leaves from ending up in your mouth.
Notes
This recipe is equally good with or without rum, so it makes a great signature party drink since you can satisfy everyone's tastes.If you don't have a muddler, use the back of a wooden spoon to crush the basil leaves.You can substitute simple sugar syrup instead of the maple syrup if that's what you have on hand, but I think the maple syrup adds some extra flavor.