Honey Free Classic Cucumber Mint Mocktail
Cool, crisp, and genuinely refreshing, this cucumber mint mocktail is the kind of drink that makes you feel like you're sitting poolside even on an ordinary Tuesday. The sweetness here comes entirely from a quick homemade simple syrup made with just granulated sugar and water — no floral syrups or alternative sweeteners involved, which means it's completely free of bee-derived ingredients without any substitutions required. Muddling fresh cucumber rounds and mint leaves together unlocks a bright, herbaceous base that sparkling water and fresh lime juice turn into something that tastes far more sophisticated than the ingredient list suggests. The fine-mesh straining step is worth the extra thirty seconds — it gives you a silky, clean sip with all the flavor and none of the pulpy texture. Garnished with a slim cucumber round and a sprig of mint, it also looks stunning in the glass, making it a natural choice for entertaining or a slow weekend afternoon. This is the kind of mocktail that genuinely competes with anything on a cocktail menu.
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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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