BHA & BHT Free Cucumber-Basil Salty Mint Lemonade Soda
Fresh cucumber, bright lemon, and a homemade honey-herb syrup come together in this sparkling drink that tastes like a farmers market in a glass. Every single ingredient here is whole and recognizable — honey, fresh herbs, real lemon juice, sea salt, and plain sparkling water — which makes it a genuinely clean option for anyone avoiding synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT that sneak into so many bottled beverages and flavored sodas. The honey syrup is steeped with fresh basil and mint right on the stovetop, pulling out their fragrance in a way that no artificial flavoring can replicate. Muddling fresh cucumber and straining it into the glass adds a cool, subtly vegetal depth that makes this feel far more sophisticated than a standard lemonade. A pinch of fine sea salt rounds everything out and keeps the sweetness from going flat — it's a small touch that makes a big difference. This is the kind of drink you'll want to make on repeat all summer, and you can feel completely confident about what's in it.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
For the honey syrup
- 3 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp water
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
For the drink
- ½ cup cucumber, peeled and roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 ½ lemons)
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 2 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 1 cup ice cubes
For serving
- 2 thin cucumber slices, for garnish (optional)
- 2 small fresh basil or mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the honey and water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until the honey fully dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the basil and mint leaves, and stir to submerge them.
- 2
Let the herb syrup steep off the heat for 10 minutes, until fragrant and lightly tinted green.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!