Artificial Flavors Free Classic Nojito
Fresh mint, real lime juice, and a quick homemade simple syrup are all it takes to build something that tastes genuinely special — no bottled mixers, no mystery flavorings, just clean, bright ingredients you can actually pronounce. That matters more than it might seem, because so many store-bought mocktail syrups and flavored sparkling waters sneak in artificial additives that are hard to spot on a label. Here, you make the syrup yourself in about two minutes on the stovetop, so you know exactly what's going in the glass. Muddling the mint with fresh lime juice is the move that makes this drink sing — it releases the natural oils in the leaves and turns the whole mixture a gorgeous pale green before you've even added the ice. A gentle pour of chilled sparkling water over the top keeps the bubbles lively and the finish crisp. It's the kind of drink that looks like it came from a cocktail bar but comes together in your own kitchen with zero fuss.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
For the simple syrup
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
For the drinks
- 16 fresh mint leaves, plus 2 sprigs for garnish
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 2 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 2 cups ice cubes
For serving
- 2 lime wheels or wedges (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes — the syrup should be clear and slightly thickened.
- 2
Divide the mint leaves evenly between two tall glasses. Add half the lime juice and half the simple syrup to each glass. Muddle firmly with a cocktail muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon, pressing and twisting 8–10 times until the mint is bruised and fragrant and the liquid turns pale green.
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