Carrageenan Free Classic Cucumber Mint Mocktail
Crisp cucumber, bright lime, and fresh mint come together in a mocktail that feels genuinely refreshing — the kind of drink that makes a regular Tuesday feel like a rooftop happy hour. Many store-bought sparkling beverages and flavored waters sneak in carrageenan as a stabilizer or emulsifier, which makes mixing your own drinks from scratch such a smart move. Every ingredient here is straightforward and whole: real cucumber muddled with fresh mint leaves, a simple homemade syrup you cook in minutes, and plain chilled sparkling water. The muddling step is where the magic happens — pressing the cucumber and mint together unlocks a fragrant, cooling juice that no bottled mixer can replicate. A quick shake over ice chills everything down beautifully before you strain it into glasses and top with bubbly water. It's elegant enough to serve at a dinner party but easy enough to throw together on a weeknight without a second thought.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
For the simple syrup
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
For the mocktail
- ½ medium english cucumber (about 4 oz), cut into ¼-inch rounds
- 16 fresh mint leaves, plus 2 sprigs for garnish
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 cup sparkling water, chilled
- 1 cup ice cubes
For serving
- 2 thin cucumber rounds, for garnish (optional)
- 2 mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes until no longer steaming.
- 2
Add the cucumber rounds and mint leaves to a cocktail shaker or large jar. Muddle firmly until the cucumber releases its juice and the mint is bruised and fragrant, about 10–12 presses.
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