If you are craving a refreshing, festive drink with hints of fresh herbs, the zing of lemon and spicy pop of ginger this mocktail is worth making!
Fresh lemon is bright and fruity which pairs perfectly with the earthiness of basil and thyme and warmth of freshly grated ginger.
One sip and you could have a new favourite!
What is a mocktail?
A mocktail is basically a cocktail without the alcohol and the term comes from combining the words mock and cocktail.
Guests love them as you still get to enjoy the complexity of flavours of a cocktail when fruit and herbs are blended with a sugar syrup and dash of soda or infused water.
So next time you’re having a brunch, luncheon, or even afternoon tea consider offering a mocktail as an alternative to juice, coffee, or tea.
If you decide to make an adult version, adding 4-ounces of vodka makes a delicious cocktail.
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4 great reasons why I love this recipe
- Mocktails make a refreshing change anytime of the year.
- Guests love being offered an interesting non-alcoholic drink.
- The recipe is so flexible – add vodka for a cocktail.
- Combining the smell and taste of fresh herbs with lemon is amazing.
How to make your Lemon Herb Spritzer
Prep time: 15 minutes (add extra chilling time, usually 1-2 hours)
Cook time: N/A
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 T. honey, preferably local
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2T. fresh mint, washed and torn into pieces
- 2 T. fresh basil, washed and torn into pieces
- 2 t. fresh lemon zest, preferably organic
- 2 fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 t. fresh ginger root, finely minced
- 1 large lemon, washed
- 2 c. sparkling water
- Fresh ice
- 4oz. vodka
- Fresh basil leaves
- Fresh or dehydrated lemon slices
Budget Tip:
If you plan on making mocktails and cocktails more often, lower your cost and recycling with a SodaStream.
I pre-fill my bottles then refrigerate to chill until ready to gas up and use.
Share with someone you know:
Vegan Tip:
Change out the honey for a plant-based sweetener such as non-processed maple syrup or date sugar.
Your mocktail or cocktail will look darker and have a slightly different, but amazing, taste!
Honey and many granulated sugars are not vegan-friendly, agave is highly processed, while stevia has less health benefits than maple syrup or your own homemade date sugar.
Equipment:
- Chef’s 8″ knife
- Chopping board
- Small saucepan
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Zester
- Juicer
- Wood stirring spoon
- Serving pitchers, coolers, glasses for indoors
If you are serving outdoors:
Serving mocktails outside is easy with a little planning.
Gather your equipment; cooler, drink container, and glasses, and check everything is clean.
If you plan on taking your mocktail on a hike – Yeti is incredible!
The magnetic lid prevents any spills, your drink stays chilled for ages, and everything is dishwasher-safe after!
Or . . .
- Grab a Yeti portable soft cooler or backpack.
- Pour your chilled mocktail into a non-breakable bottle.
- Add an ice pack or two.
- Don’t forget the garnishes!
- Pack elegant SnowFox insulated stainless steel cocktail glasses then head off for a quiet hour by the lake with a couple of friends, or surprise everyone for the last ski run of the day.
And don't forget the kid's drinks!
For kids, pack extra sweetner, add a little extra water to help dilute any strong flavors, and skip the garnish, unless they’re feeling adventurous!
Directions:
- Add honey and water to a small saucepan. Turn heat to MEDIUM and stir until the honey dissolves.
- Remove saucepan from heat and allow to cool for 5-210 minutes before pouring into a pitcher or 1-quart mason jar.
- Zest the lemon and add that to the pitcher as well.
– Now cut and juice the lemon and add 1/3 cup juice to the pitcher.
– Tear the basil and mint leaves and add.
– Zest or grate the fresh ginger root and add.
– Add the thyme sprigs. - If using vodka, add before stirring to combine ingredients.
- Cover and place in refrigerator to chill.
- Pack your cooler, or place 4 clean glasses in the refrigerator to chill, and don’t forget to check you have extra ice.
To serve indoors:
- Pour sparkling water into the pitcher and stir to combine.
- Pour your mocktail, or cocktail, into 4 chilled glasses already filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a basil leaf, add a thin slice of fresh or dehydrated lemon, and serve immediately.
Enjoy!
I hope you’ll give this delicious recipe a try next time.
Find me:
Gift Ideas:
Take mocktail and cocktail creations to the next level with this bartender kit.
Print this recipe and slip it inside a card and add to your favourite drink mix.
Lemon Herb Spritzer
Equipment
- Chef's 8" knife
- Chopping board
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Small saucepan
- Zester or grater
- Juicer
- Pitcher or 1-Quart Mason jar
- Stirrer
- 4 chilled glasses
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup lemon juice fresh
- 2 tbsp mint fresh, torn in pieces
- 2 tbsp basil fresh, torn in peices
- 2 tsp lemon zest fresh
- 2 sprigs thyme fresh
- 2 tsp ginger fresh
- 1 large lemon sliced
- 2 cups sparkling water
Instructions
- Add honey and water to a small saucepan. Over MEDIUM heat stir until the honey has dissolved.
- Remove from heat and cool for 5-10 minutes before pouring into a pitcher or Mason jar. Add fresh lemon juice and zest, fresh herbs, and grated ginger.
- Add vodka if making a cocktail. Stir all ingredients gently then refrigerate until ready.
To Serve
- Pour cold sparkling water into the pitcher and stir to combine ingredients.
- Pour into 4 cold glasses filled with ice and garnish with fresh basil leaves and lemon slices.
I can’t wait to give this spritzer a try. It sounds so refreshing and love all the herbs in it.