Sparkling Orange & Mint Refresher
A bright and bubbly refresher made with fresh orange juice, sparkling water, and a generous handful of muddled mint. Slightly sweet, citrusy, and incredibly cooling — perfect for hot afternoons, brunches, or anytime you crave a pick-me-up without the alcohol.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~5 min
Juice the oranges and prep the mint.
1.Cut 6 large oranges in half and juice them using a citrus juicer until you have about 1.5 cups of fresh juice.2.Pick half a cup of fresh mint leaves from their stems and give them a quick rinse. - mix · ~2 min
Muddle the mint with honey and lemon juice.
1.Place the washed mint leaves in a sturdy glass or small pitcher.2.Add 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.3.Gently muddle with a muddler or the back of a spoon for about 30 seconds. Press and twist to release the mint's oils, but do not shred the leaves.TIPOver-muddling mint makes it bitter. Use firm but gentle presses. - mix · ~1 min
Combine fresh orange juice with the mint mixture.
1.Pour the fresh orange juice into the pitcher with the muddled mint.2.Add a tiny pinch of salt to brighten the flavors.3.Stir well to dissolve the honey completely. - assemble · ~2 min
Strain into ice-filled glasses and add bubbles.
1.Fill each serving glass with a generous cup of ice cubes.2.Place a fine-mesh strainer over each glass and pour the orange-mint mixture through, dividing it equally among 4 glasses.3.Top each glass with chilled sparkling water, pouring about half a cup per glass.4.Stir very gently with a spoon to combine without knocking out the fizz.TIPAdd the sparkling water at the very last moment to keep maximum fizz. - garnish · ~1 min
Garnish with an orange slice and a sprig of mint. Serve immediately.
Place a thin orange slice on the rim of each glass and tuck in a fresh mint sprig. Serve straight away while cold and bubbly.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Use room-temperature oranges for maximum juice yield; roll them on the counter before cutting.
- 2Chill your glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes to keep the refresher cold longer without diluting.
- 3Add the sparkling water just before serving to preserve the bubbles and prevent a flat drink.
- 4If your honey is thick, warm the jar in a bowl of hot water for 1 minute to make it easier to dissolve.
- 5For a smoother drink, double-strain through a fine-mesh sieve to catch tiny mint particles.
Adapt it for your goals.
Herbal twist
Replace half the mint with basil or lemon balm for a different aromatic layer that still pairs beautifully with orange.
lower sugarLower sugar
Swap honey for stevia or monk fruit syrup, or reduce to 1 tablespoon for a less sweet refresher that lets the citrus shine.
spicy kickSpicy kick
Add 2 thin slices of fresh ginger to the muddling step for a warm, zesty finish that complements the mint.
non citrus baseNon-citrus base
Swap orange juice for unsweetened pomegranate juice for a tart, deep-red drink with the same minty fizz.
frozen fruit popFrozen fruit pop
Freeze the completed mixture (without sparkling water) in ice-pop molds for booze-free frozen treats.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Vitamin C
Each serving delivers a generous dose of immune-supporting vitamin C from fresh orange juice and lemon juice.
Hydrating & Low Calorie
Sparkling water and fresh juice create a hydrating base that contains no refined sugars, only natural sweetness from honey.
Digestive Aid from Mint
Mint is traditionally used to soothe digestion, making this refresher a gentle palate-cleansing option after meals.
Antioxidant Boost
Both citrus fruits and mint are sources of flavonoids that help combat oxidative stress in the body.
Frequently asked questions
You can juice the oranges and muddle the mint-honey mixture up to 24 hours ahead. Store separately in the fridge, then combine and add sparkling water just before serving.
