Low Iodine Cucumber-Basil Salty Mint Lemonade Soda
Fresh cucumber, bright lemon, and a fragrant honey syrup steeped with basil and mint come together in a drink that feels genuinely special without requiring much effort at all. Every ingredient here is naturally low in iodine — no dairy, no seafood, no iodized salt, and no processed additives to second-guess — making this a genuinely worry-free refreshment when you're navigating strict dietary limits. The small but meaningful detail of using fine sea salt instead of iodized table salt keeps things on the right side of the guidelines without sacrificing that satisfying salty-sweet balance. Muddling fresh cucumber and straining it into the glass gives the drink a clean, garden-fresh depth that store-bought sodas simply can't replicate. The herb syrup is quick to make and can be prepared ahead of time, so assembly is effortless when you're ready to serve. Topped with cold sparkling water and a sprig of mint or basil, this is the kind of drink that looks like it came from a café but came together entirely in your own kitchen.
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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
Chef's tipFine sea salt and table salt measure the same - no conversion needed. - 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.
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