Sparkling Starfruit & Mint Limeade

Name: Sparkling Starfruit & Mint Limeade
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: other
Ingredients: 2 pcs starfruit (medium, ripe but firm); 0.25 cup mint (fresh leaves, loosely packed); 3 pcs lime (juiced); 3 tbsp sugar (or to preference); 3 cup sparkling water (plain, chilled); 1 pinch salt (for the drink); 2 cup ice cubes

RATING

0.0/5

TASTE SCORE

8/10

A bubbly, refreshing limeade that puts starfruit front and center. Tart carambola slices mingle with fresh mint and lime in a sparkling water base, creating a drink that’s equal parts thirst-quenching and stunning to look at. Perfect for hot afternoons or as a dinner-party mocktail, it comes together in under ten minutes with no special equipment.

PREP

10m

COOK

SERVES

1 CUP

75 cal

SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

For 4 servings

2 pcsstarfruit · medium, ripe but firm¼ cupmint · fresh leaves, loosely packed3 pcslime · juiced3 tbspsugar · or to preference3 cupsparkling water · plain, chilled1 pinchsalt · for the drink2 cupice cubes

NUTRITION · PER SERVING

CALORIES · 1 CUP

Protein1g · 5%

Carbs18g · 96%

Fat0g · 0%

Fiber3g

Sugar12g

Saturated fat0g

Cholesterol0mg

Sodium43mg

Potassium121mg

Phosphorus16mg

How we calculate →

METHOD · 4 STEPS

prep · ~4 min
Prep the starfruit and mint.
1.Wash the starfruit well. Trim the brown edges of the ridges and slice crosswise into thin star-shaped pieces, discarding any seeds.
2.Set aside a few slices for garnish. Roughly tear or lightly bruise the mint leaves with your hands.
TIPChoose starfruit that are yellow with slight green edges — fully green ones are too tart and overripe brown ones turn mushy.
mix · ~2 min
Muddle the base.
1.Place the torn mint, sugar, and a pinch of salt in a large pitcher.
2.Add the starfruit slices and the fresh lime juice.
3.Using a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon, gently crush the starfruit and mint together for about 30 seconds to release the juices without pulverizing the fruit.
TIPPress just enough to release the juice and mint oils — aggressive pounding will turn the starfruit mushy and make the drink cloudy.
mix · ~1 min
Add ice and top with sparkling water.
1.Fill the pitcher halfway with ice cubes.
2.Slowly pour the chilled sparkling water down the side of the pitcher to retain the bubbles.
3.Stir gently with a long spoon 2-3 times to combine.
TIPAdd the sparkling water just before serving so the fizz doesn't go flat while waiting.
serve · ~1 min
Pour into glasses and garnish.
1.Fill serving glasses with fresh ice cubes.
2.Pour the limeade through a small strainer if you want a clear drink, or leave the fruit and mint in for a rustic look.
3.Garnish each glass with the reserved starfruit slices and a small mint sprig.
TIPFor an extra-special presentation, run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and dip it in sugar or salt.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Use ripe but firm starfruit with yellow skin and slight green edges for the best balance of tartness and sweetness.
2
Muddle gently—just 30 seconds—to release starfruit juice and mint oils without turning the fruit mushy or clouding the drink.
3
Add sparkling water right before serving to preserve maximum fizz and avoid a flat limeade.
4
For a clearer drink, strain out the muddled fruit and mint before pouring into glasses.
5
Make a simple syrup by dissolving the sugar in a splash of warm water first, then cool it before muddling for easier sweetening.
6
Store leftover unfizzed base (muddled fruit, mint, lime juice, sugar) in the fridge for up to 24 hours; add sparkling water and ice when ready to serve.

RECIPE VARIATIONS