Sesame Free Cucumber-Basil Lemon Mint Soda
This refreshing herbal soda is the kind of drink that makes a regular afternoon feel like a little occasion. Fresh cucumber, bright lemon juice, and a double hit of basil and mint come together in a way that's cooling, lightly sweet, and genuinely sophisticated. Honey does the sweetening here, keeping everything clean and natural without any syrups or store-bought shortcuts that might carry hidden allergens. The muddling step is where the magic happens — bruising the herbs and cucumber unlocks their oils and juice, giving you a deeply fragrant base before the sparkling water even enters the picture. Straining everything through a fine-mesh sieve means you get a beautifully clear, smooth soda with all the flavor and none of the pulp. It's completely free of sesame in any form, which can be surprisingly tricky to guarantee with flavored sodas and bottled drinks from the store. Serve it over ice with a lemon slice and a sprig of mint or basil, and it looks as good as it tastes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
- ½ medium cucumber, thinly sliced (about ½ cup)
- 8 fresh basil leaves
- 8 fresh mint leaves
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 ½ lemons)
- 1 ½ tbsp honey
- ¼ cup cold water
- 1 ½ cups plain sparkling water, chilled
- 1 cup ice cubes
For serving
- 2 thin lemon slices, for serving (optional)
- 2 small fresh basil or mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the cucumber slices, basil leaves, and mint leaves in a cocktail shaker or large mason jar. Muddle firmly until the cucumber releases its juice and the herbs are bruised and fragrant, about 20–25 presses.
- 2
Add the lemon juice, honey, and cold water to the shaker. Seal and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds, until the honey is fully dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
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