Cool off with fizzy Citrus Infused Mocktails and beat the heat this summer! These refreshing, bubbly drinks are perfect for sipping on the porch or pairing with your favorite summertime recipes. Easy to make and fully customizable!
What’s Included In This Post
Sparkling Citrus Infused Mocktail Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to make a glass or batch of these fruity, fizzy mocktails:
- Fresh orange, lime, or lemon
- Infused vinegar (see my notes below!)
- Club soda, tonic (diet or regular), or other carbonated water
- Ice cubes or crushed ice
Street Smart Nutrition Tip: Infused vinegars are a bit of a specialty product, but are easy to find if you know where to look. Check out a local farmers market, olive oil shop, or specialty foods store. Selections range from spicy to sweet to herbal to everything in between. Look for something light (like a white balsamic or champagne vinegar) and fruity for these sparkling mocktails.
Why use vinegar in mocktails?
It might sound odd, but using an infused vinegar is a simple way to add complexity and flavor to your alcohol-free drinks. Shrubs, or drinking vinegars, have been used for ages. They can be used as an apéritif or alternative to bitters when mixing cocktails.
Infused vinegars and shrubs add acidity and sharpness to any drink. This is especially helpful when mixing mocktails (alcohol-free or zero-proof cocktails) because that’s usually provided by the alcohol.
And similar to kombucha, pairing infused vinegars with sparkling water or carbonation adds effervescence to make every sip feel refreshing and sophisticated.
How to Make Sparkling Citrus Infused Mocktails
The best part about this sparkling mocktail recipe is that it’s such a breeze to make! It’s also fully customizable so you can adjust to fit your tastes.
You can start with the ratio in the recipe card below, which is 1/2 oz (or about 15 mL) of infused vinegar per drink. Other than squeezing fresh citrus juice, there’s really no work involved. Everything can be added directly to the glass you’ll drink from (I recommend an unbreakable, non-glass option if you’ll be outside).
Add ice, give it a swirl, and enjoy!
And if you’re making a bigger batch to serve a crowd, stick to a similar ratio for best results.
Street Smart Nutrition Tip: Fresh squeezed juice is ideal for making the best mocktails and cocktails at home. But it’s not required since you can also use bottled versions. This is a good way to reduce food waste since the shelf life is much longer.
Serving Suggestions
Add a garnish of fresh citrus slices or herbs. Basil and mint work especially well and are abundant in the hot summer months.
You can also convert these mocktails into a cocktail version. Simply add one ounce of your favorite clear liquor (such as vodka, gin, or tequila) before topping with sparkling water or tonic. Brush up on standard drink equivalents so you can make informed choices about consuming alcohol.
Since the flavors are so flexible, these sparkling citrus infused mocktails can pair with just about anything you’re craving! For me, I love a nice hearty summer salad or something hot off the grill. Try something from this list:
- Watermelon Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese and Bacon
- Mixed Greens Salad with Yuzu Dressing (add your favorite protein)
- Skirt Steak with Roasted Red Pepper Relish
- Summer Salmon Salad with Grilled Peaches and Chimichurri
Sparkling Citrus Infused Mocktails
Ingredients
- 1 large orange
- 2 tbsp infused vinegar, such as Honey-Ginger White Balsamic Vinegar
- 12 oz club soda, or diet tonic water, or seltzer water
- 6-8 Ice cubes
- 1 lime, for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Cut the orange in half and juice, carefully removing any seeds. Divide the orange juice evenly between two tumblers. Add the infused vinegar, then place 3 to 4 ice cubes in each glass. Top with club soda, diet tonic water, or seltzer water. Fill to the top.
- Add a squeeze of lime juice if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post was originally published in May 2017. It has since been updated to improve the overall quality of the information.
