Dairy Free Garden Mint Citrus Cooler
Fresh citrus and garden mint come together in a sparkling drink that feels like summer in a glass. The base starts with a homemade maple simple syrup steeped with fresh mint leaves, which gives the whole cooler a natural, herbal sweetness that no store-bought syrup can quite replicate. Freshly squeezed orange and lime juice bring bright, tangy depth, while chilled sparkling water keeps every sip light and effervescent. Because every ingredient here is entirely plant-based, there's zero need to scan labels or worry about hidden dairy lurking in a pre-made mix. The technique is straightforward — simmer, steep, strain, and stir — making this an easy win whether you're hosting a backyard gathering or just treating yourself on a warm afternoon. Garnished with a lime wedge and a sprig of fresh mint, it looks as good as it tastes.
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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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