BHA & BHT Free Raspberry Lemon Mocktail
Bright, tangy, and gorgeous in the glass, this sparkling drink is the kind of thing that makes a regular afternoon feel like a special occasion. The homemade raspberry syrup is the real star — fresh berries, water, and maple syrup are simmered down into a deep ruby concentrate that's worlds away from anything you'd pour out of a bottle. That matters because store-bought syrups and flavored sparkling drinks are common hiding spots for synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT, which can sneak in under vague "natural flavors" or shelf-stability additives. Here, every single ingredient is whole and recognizable, so you know exactly what's going into your glass. Fresh lemon juice adds a clean, zippy brightness that balances the sweetness of the syrup perfectly, and the chilled sparkling water brings just enough fizz to make it feel festive. A sprig of mint and a lemon wheel on the rim take it from casual to genuinely impressive with almost no extra effort. It's refreshing, it's stunning, and it's completely built from scratch.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the raspberry syrup
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup maple syrup
For the mocktail
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4 lemons)
- 3 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 2 cups ice cubes
For serving
- 4 lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
- 4 fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the raspberries, water, and maple syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally and pressing the berries against the side of the pan with a spoon, until the raspberries have completely broken down and the liquid is deep red and slightly thickened, about 6–8 minutes.
- 2
Pour the raspberry mixture through a fine-mesh strainer set over a heatproof bowl or measuring cup, pressing firmly on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard the solids. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes, or speed it up by setting the bowl over an ice bath.
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