Artificial Food Coloring Free Whole30 Ginger Lemon Sparkler
Bright, zingy, and genuinely refreshing, this sparkling ginger lemonade is the kind of drink that makes you forget you ever needed a store-bought soda. Commercial fizzy drinks are notorious for sneaking in synthetic dyes — even ones that look "clear" or "natural" on the shelf — so making your own is the only way to be truly sure of what's in your glass. Here, a simple homemade concentrate is built from fresh ginger and real lemon juice, simmered low and slow until the liquid turns fragrant and pale golden. That concentrate gets strained clean, then poured over ice and topped with chilled sparkling water for a drink that's effervescent and lively without a single artificial ingredient in sight. The ginger brings a gentle heat that blooms as you sip, balanced perfectly by the brightness of fresh-squeezed lemon. A lemon slice and a sprig of mint make it look like something you'd order at a nice brunch spot — no dye required.
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
2 servings
For the ginger concentrate
- 1 cup water
- 2 oz fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced (about ⅓ cup)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
To assemble
- 2 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 1 cup ice
For serving
- 2 lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
- 2 sprigs fresh mint, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water and sliced ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes, until the liquid is fragrant and pale golden.
- 2
Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice. Let the mixture steep for 20 minutes, until cooled to room temperature.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!