Nutmeg Free Classic Citrus Mocktail

Total time25 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

4.6

(5)

Bright, tangy, and completely refreshing, this citrus mocktail is the kind of drink that makes any occasion feel a little more special — no bar cart required. Three kinds of fresh-squeezed juice come together with a lemon-zested simple syrup for a layered citrus flavor that's way more interesting than anything you'd pour from a bottle. The homemade syrup is a small step that makes a big difference, infusing just enough floral lemon brightness to balance the sharper notes from the lime and lemon juice. Topped with chilled sparkling water, the whole thing has a light, effervescent finish that keeps it from feeling too sweet or heavy. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of warming spices, so there's zero guesswork about what's in your glass — just clean, vibrant fruit. Garnish with a mint sprig and an orange slice and it looks genuinely stunning, whether you're serving it at brunch, a party, or just a Tuesday night when you want something that feels a little elevated.

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Ingredients

2 servings

For the simple syrup

¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup water
1 tsp lemon zest

For the mocktail

½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from about 2 medium oranges)
3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 1 lime)
1 cup sparkling water, chilled
1 cup ice cubes

For serving

2 orange slices, for garnish (optional)
2 sprigs fresh mint, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1
Combine the sugar, water, and lemon zest in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool for 10 minutes, then strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a small bowl or jar, discarding the zest.
2
Combine the orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, and 2 tablespoons of the cooled lemon simple syrup in a cocktail shaker or pitcher. Taste and add up to 1 additional tablespoon of syrup if you prefer a sweeter drink.

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