Paraben Free Lemon Ginger Mocktail
Bright, zingy, and genuinely refreshing, this sparkling drink is built entirely from whole, recognizable ingredients — fresh lemon juice, real ginger, plain sugar, and sparkling water. For anyone navigating paraben sensitivities, that simplicity matters more than it might seem, since synthetic preservatives can sneak into flavored syrups, bottled mixers, and even some store-bought sparkling beverages. Here, the ginger syrup is made from scratch in minutes, so you know exactly what's going in your glass. The process of simmering fresh ginger slices with sugar and water coaxes out a warm, spicy depth that bottled ginger flavoring just can't replicate. Squeezed lemon juice keeps things bracingly tart, and the slow pour of sparkling water over ice keeps every sip effervescent. Garnished with a mint sprig and a lemon wheel, it looks like something you'd pay twelve dollars for at a nice restaurant — except you made it yourself, and you know it's clean.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
For the ginger syrup
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 oz fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced (about 6–8 slices)
For the mocktail
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 3–4 lemons)
- 2 tbsp ginger syrup (from above)
- 1 ½ cups sparkling water
- 1 cup ice cubes
For serving
- 2 lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
- 2 sprigs fresh mint, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the sugar, water, and ginger slices in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely, about 2 minutes.
- 2
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 minutes, until the syrup is slightly thickened and fragrant with ginger. Remove from heat.
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