Xanthan Gum Free Sparkling Orange Cinnamon Mocktail Spritz
Bright, citrusy, and lightly spiced, this sparkling mocktail is the kind of drink that makes any occasion feel a little more special — no alcohol required. Fresh-squeezed orange juice is the star, balanced by a warmly fragrant cinnamon syrup made from just maple syrup, water, and whole cinnamon sticks simmered together on the stove. That homemade syrup is the secret weapon here: it steeps for a full 20 minutes so the spice really blooms before you ever pour a drop. Topped off with chilled sparkling water and served over ice, the result is effervescent and refreshing without a single processed additive or thickener in sight. Many flavored syrups and bottled mocktail mixers sneak in stabilizers or gums you might not expect, so making your own from scratch puts you completely in control of what goes into the glass. A thin orange slice and a cinnamon stick tucked in for garnish make it look genuinely impressive with almost zero extra effort. It's the kind of drink you'll want to batch up for brunches, holidays, or any night you want something a little festive.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the cinnamon syrup
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 cinnamon sticks
For the spritz
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from about 4 medium oranges)
- 2 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 2 cups ice cubes
For serving
- 4 thin orange slices, for garnish (optional)
- 4 cinnamon sticks, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water, maple syrup, and 2 cinnamon sticks in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the maple syrup dissolves, then bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 minutes, until the syrup is fragrant and lightly coats the back of a spoon.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the cinnamon syrup steep for 20 minutes, until deeply fragrant. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a small bowl or jar and discard the cinnamon sticks. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
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