Nutmeg Free Sparkling Grape Mint Lemonade
This refreshing sparkling drink is the kind of thing you want in your hand on a warm afternoon — bright, bubbly, and layered with flavor in a way that feels almost fancy without any real effort. Fresh lemon juice brings the tartness, deep grape juice adds a gorgeous jewel-toned color and natural sweetness, and a homemade maple-mint syrup ties everything together with an herby, lightly floral note. Making your own mint syrup takes just a few minutes on the stovetop and is genuinely worth it — the steeped leaves infuse the maple base with a clean, cooling fragrance that bottled syrups just can't match. Everything in this recipe is straightforward and naturally free of the warm, pungent spice that can sneak into unexpected drinks and syrups, so you can sip without second-guessing the ingredient list. The final pour over ice with a splash of chilled sparkling water keeps things light and effervescent, making it a great option for entertaining or just treating yourself on a slow weekend. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a lemon wheel and it looks like something from a restaurant menu.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the mint syrup
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
For the lemonade
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4–5 lemons)
- 1 cup 100% red sugar or purple grape juice, no added sugar
- 3 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 2 cups ice
For serving
- 4 fresh mint sprigs (optional)
- 4 lemon slices (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the maple syrup and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the maple syrup fully dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, add the mint leaves, and let steep for 15 minutes until the syrup is fragrant and pale green.
- 2
Pour the mint syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a small bowl or measuring cup, pressing the mint leaves gently to extract the liquid. Discard the spent mint.
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