BHA & BHT Free Classic Nojito
Fresh mint, bright lime, and a quick homemade simple syrup come together in a mocktail that feels genuinely festive without a drop of alcohol. Avoiding preservatives like BHA and BHT can be surprisingly tricky with packaged drinks and flavored syrups, since those additives show up in all kinds of bottled beverages and mixes. Making your own simple syrup from just sugar and water takes about two minutes on the stovetop, so you know exactly what's going in your glass. Muddling the mint releases its natural oils and turns the lime juice a gorgeous pale green — it looks like something you'd order at a nice restaurant, but it comes together in your own kitchen. Chilled sparkling water adds the fizz and keeps everything light and refreshing. Serve it over ice with a mint sprig and a lime wheel and it's instantly the most photogenic drink on the table.
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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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