Paraben 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 alcohol required. The triple hit of freshly squeezed orange, lemon, and lime juice gives it a vibrant, layered flavor that store-bought mixers simply can't replicate. That matters more than it might seem, because many commercial beverages and flavoring syrups contain preservatives that people avoiding parabens need to watch out for. Here, everything starts from scratch: a quick lemon zest simple syrup, pure citrus juice, and chilled sparkling water — nothing hidden, nothing processed. Topping each glass with bubbly water at the end keeps the fizz lively and the whole drink feeling light and celebratory. A sprig of fresh mint and an orange slice on the rim make it look like something you'd order at a fancy bar, but it comes together in your own kitchen with total ingredient transparency. It's the kind of recipe you'll want to keep on rotation all year long.

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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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