Pork Free Garden Mint Citrus Cooler
Bright, citrusy, and genuinely refreshing, this sparkling cooler is the kind of drink that makes any occasion feel a little more special. Fresh-squeezed orange and lime juice form the backbone, while a homemade mint simple syrup — made with maple syrup instead of refined white sugar — adds a floral, herby sweetness that you simply can't get from a bottle. The steeping step is where the magic happens: gently bruising the mint leaves before letting them sit in the warm syrup pulls out every bit of that garden-fresh fragrance. Once the citrus and syrup are combined and the chilled sparkling water is poured in, you've got a pitcher drink that looks stunning and tastes even better. It's naturally free from any animal-derived ingredients beyond what you choose to add, making it an easy crowd-pleaser for mixed gatherings. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wedge and it's practically begging to be photographed before anyone takes a sip.
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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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