Beef Free Garden Mint Citrus Cooler
Bright, citrusy, and refreshingly herbal, this sparkling cooler is the kind of drink that makes any afternoon feel like a special occasion. Fresh orange juice and lime juice bring a natural tartness that pairs beautifully with a homemade mint simple syrup — made by steeping bruised mint leaves in warm maple syrup until deeply fragrant. The result is a layered, complex flavor that tastes far more impressive than the short ingredient list suggests. A gentle pour of chilled sparkling water at the end keeps everything lively and bubbly without losing that gorgeous effervescence. Since every ingredient here is entirely plant-based and naturally free of any animal products, there's zero guesswork about what's in your glass. It's a crowd-pleaser for backyard gatherings, brunches, or just a quiet moment on the porch — and the optional lime wedge and mint sprig garnish make it look absolutely stunning with almost no extra effort.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the mint simple syrup
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed, plus more for garnish
For the cooler
- 1 cup fresh orange juice (from about 3 medium oranges)
- ⅓ cup fresh lime juice (from about 3 limes)
- 3 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 2 cups ice cubes
For serving
- 4 lime wedges (optional)
- 4 small fresh mint sprigs (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water and maple syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the maple syrup fully dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from the 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 and slightly bruised. Let the mint steep for 15 minutes, then strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher, pressing the leaves to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard the spent mint.
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