It is quite warm these days and I am happily swapping mugs of mint green tea for a lot of water and when I crave it, a refreshing glass of homemade lemon, lime and mint soft drink.
Obviously, my drink of choice is a lot of water to stay hydrated but during warmer months, I sometimes like to keep homemade drinks in the fridge such as this cold brew apricot and tonka iced green tea. And once in a while I make my own syrup that I can pour over ice cubes and top with sparkling water.
I do not usually consume a lot of sugary beverages but this lemon, lime and mint soft drink is an ideal recipe for summer time. Making your own gives you control on how sweet your soft drink can be. I mostly stick to a ratio of 1:7 syrup/sparkling water but you can also make it less sweet by reducing the amount.
This type of syrup recipe usually calls for a lot more sugar but here, I wanted to take advantage of the natural sugar from the lemon and lime juice.
The fresh mint leaves add a refreshing flavour after they have infused in syrup while it cooled down.
It really is a great summer beverage and also serves as a mocktail of sorts if you are not drinking alcohol.
I usually always have a lot of lemons and limes at home so I can add a slice or two to a glass of water (and during colder months to a mug of hot water with honey and ginger). So if I get my hands on some fragrant fresh mint, I instantly know what to make to add a bit of variety to my summer drinks.
I can just pour the syrup in a glass or a pitcher over ice cubes, top with sparkling water, a few slices of lemon or lime and fresh mint leaves and I have a great refreshment right there.
I do not usually consume a lot of sugary beverages but this lemon, lime and mint soft drink is an ideal recipe for summer time. Making your own gives you control on how sweet your soft drink can be. I mostly stick to a ratio of 1:7 syrup/sparkling water but you can also make it less sweet by reducing the amount.
This type of syrup recipe usually calls for a lot more sugar but here, I wanted to take advantage of the natural sugar from the lemon and lime juice.
The fresh mint leaves add a refreshing flavour after they have infused in syrup while it cooled down.
It really is a great summer beverage and also serves as a mocktail of sorts if you are not drinking alcohol.
I usually always have a lot of lemons and limes at home so I can add a slice or two to a glass of water (and during colder months to a mug of hot water with honey and ginger). So if I get my hands on some fragrant fresh mint, I instantly know what to make to add a bit of variety to my summer drinks.
I can just pour the syrup in a glass or a pitcher over ice cubes, top with sparkling water, a few slices of lemon or lime and fresh mint leaves and I have a great refreshment right there.
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What are your favourite summer drinks?
Do you like making your own?
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What are your favourite summer drinks?
Do you like making your own?
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Lemon, Lime and Mint Soft Drink Recipe (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
Ingredients (make 1.5 to 2 litres)
For the syrup
80ml lemon juice
20ml lime juice
1 handful fresh mint leaves
150g caster sugar
200ml water
sparkling water
optional: fresh mint leaves and lemon or lime slices to decorate
1. Put the lemon juice, lime juice, mint leaves, sugar and 200ml water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Then, lower the heat, simmer and stir until the sugar has dissolved and the syrup has slightly thickened (about 10 to 15 minutes).
2. Set aside and let it cool down completely (this process will also let the mint infuse the syrup). Transfer the syrup through a fine mesh sieve and a funnel into a pouring dish or a small bottle. Keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Pour some of the syrup in a glass over ice cubes and top with sparkling water (I go with a syrup/sparkling water ratio of 1:7 - feel free to add more or less depending on your taste). Decorate with a few small mint leaves and a lemon or lime slice.
Ingredients (make 1.5 to 2 litres)
For the syrup
80ml lemon juice
20ml lime juice
1 handful fresh mint leaves
150g caster sugar
200ml water
sparkling water
optional: fresh mint leaves and lemon or lime slices to decorate
1. Put the lemon juice, lime juice, mint leaves, sugar and 200ml water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Then, lower the heat, simmer and stir until the sugar has dissolved and the syrup has slightly thickened (about 10 to 15 minutes).
2. Set aside and let it cool down completely (this process will also let the mint infuse the syrup). Transfer the syrup through a fine mesh sieve and a funnel into a pouring dish or a small bottle. Keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Pour some of the syrup in a glass over ice cubes and top with sparkling water (I go with a syrup/sparkling water ratio of 1:7 - feel free to add more or less depending on your taste). Decorate with a few small mint leaves and a lemon or lime slice.
