Honey Free Fresh Mint Citrus Lemonade

Total time25 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

4.5

(13)

Bright, herby, and bursting with citrus, this lemonade is the kind of drink that makes a hot afternoon feel instantly better. The base is built on freshly squeezed lemon and orange juice, so every sip has that vibrant, just-picked flavor you simply can't get from a bottle. Instead of honey, the sweetness here comes from a homemade mint simple syrup made with maple syrup — it dissolves beautifully and carries the fresh mint flavor all the way through the drink. Steeping the mint leaves in the warm syrup before straining them out is a small step that makes a huge difference, leaving behind a clean, fragrant sweetness without any bitterness. It's easy to dial in to your taste too, since the recipe encourages you to adjust tartness and dilution right before serving. Poured over ice and garnished with citrus slices and a sprig of fresh mint, it looks as good as it tastes — perfect for a backyard gathering or just a quiet moment on the porch.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the mint simple syrup

½ cup maple syrup
½ cup water
½ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed, plus more for garnish

For the lemonade

1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 6–7 lemons)
½ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 medium oranges)
3 cups cold water

For serving

ice cubes, for serving
lemon or orange slices, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1
Combine the maple syrup and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the syrup is fully dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
2
Add the mint leaves to the warm syrup and press them gently with a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon until fragrant. Let the mint steep for 10 minutes, then strain out and discard the leaves.

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