2 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1/8 tsp. cream of tartar

Mix and stir until sugar dissolves. Cover pan and boil 5 minutes, allowing steam to dissolve any sugar on sides of pan. Uncover and boil without stirring to soft ball stage. For mints, flavor color if you want to. Drop by teaspoonful onto wax paper, dip in chocolate if desired.