Citric Acid Free Garden Strawberry Lime Cooler
This drink is everything a warm-weather cooler should be — bright, fruity, and refreshingly tart without relying on any processed additives. The base is a homemade strawberry-lime syrup built from fresh strawberries, real lime zest, and a touch of maple syrup, so you know exactly what's going into every sip. For anyone navigating a citric acid sensitivity, store-bought lemonades and flavored sodas are often a minefield of hidden additives, but this recipe keeps things completely clean by using only whole, natural ingredients. The syrup gets gently cooked down until it turns a gorgeous deep pink, then strained smooth before being combined with fresh lime juice and chilled sparkling water. It comes together in just a few simple steps and looks stunning in the glass with a mint sprig and lime wheel on top. Whether you're sipping it poolside or serving it at a summer gathering, this is the kind of drink that makes people ask for the recipe.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the strawberry-lime syrup
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup water
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1 tbsp lime zest (from about 2 limes)
For the cooler
- ½ cup fresh lime juice (from about 4 limes)
- 3 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 2 cups ice cubes
For serving
- 4 fresh mint sprigs (optional)
- 4 lime wheels or wedges (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the maple syrup, water, strawberries, and lime zest in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries soften and begin to break down and the syrup turns a deep pink, about 4–5 minutes.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool for 15 minutes. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher, pressing the solids firmly with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!