Nightshade Free Cucumber Mint Sparkling Cooler
Crisp, cooling, and genuinely refreshing, this sparkling drink is the kind of thing you'll want to make on repeat all summer long. Cucumber and fresh mint are blended together, strained into a silky base, and finished with a maple-sweetened syrup and a squeeze of bright lime — the result is elegant without being fussy. For anyone navigating a nightshade-free lifestyle, finding beverages and mocktails that feel special can be surprisingly tricky, since so many flavored drinks and store-bought mixers sneak in unexpected ingredients. Every component here is straightforward and naturally free of the problematic botanicals, so you can sip without second-guessing. The homemade mint simple syrup is a small step that makes a big difference, adding a floral sweetness that maple syrup carries beautifully. Topped off with chilled sparkling water and poured over ice, it's the kind of drink that looks like it came from a fancy café but comes together in your own kitchen with minimal effort.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the mint simple syrup
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed, plus more for garnish
For the cucumber base
- 1 medium english cucumber (about 12 oz), peeled and roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 cup cold water
To finish
- 2 cups sparkling water, chilled
For serving
- ice cubes, for serving
- lime slices, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the maple syrup and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the syrup dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, add the mint leaves, and stir to submerge. Let steep for 20 minutes, then strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a small bowl, pressing the leaves to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the spent mint. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
- 2
Add the chopped cucumber and 1 cup cold water to a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 30 seconds. Pour through the fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher, pressing the solids with the back of a spoon to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids.
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