Citrus Mint Sparkler (Zero-Proof)
Section: Zero-proof · build
A clean, bright, non-alcoholic refresher of fresh lemon and lime with gently muddled mint, a touch of sugar syrup, and sparkling water. This SOP delivers a crisp, palate-cleansing drink with minimal sweetness.
2 min per glass
Operating procedure
- Chilled highball or wine glass (approx. 350 ml) on the pass.
- Fresh lemons and limes cut to order.
- Fresh mint sprigs held crisp in ice water.
- Sugar syrup at 1:1 ratio, cold and ready.
- Chilled sparkling water charged and cold.
- Muddler and bar spoon sanitized.
- Squeeze 20 ml fresh lemon juice and 15 ml fresh lime juice into the glass.
- 20 ml lemon + 15 ml lime juice
- Add 15 ml sugar syrup and 6-8 fresh mint leaves.
- 15 ml sugar syrup; 6-8 mint leaves
- Press the muddler down 3-4 times to lightly bruise the mint; never twist or shred it.
- 3-4 gentle presses
- Fill the glass completely to the rim with fresh ice cubes.
- Top with chilled sparkling water and lift gently 2-3 times to combine without flattening the bubbles.
- Garnish with a lemon and a lime wheel plus a clapped mint sprig; serve with a straw.
- Flavour is crisp and citrus-forward with only a whisper of sweetness.
- Mint aroma is fresh and clean, with no bitterness from over-pressing.
- Sparkle is lively and the drink stays pale and clear, not cloudy.
This is the driest of the range, meant as a palate cleanser; keep sugar syrup light. Sparkling water gives finer bubbles than soda water for a more elegant finish.
No caffeine figure is published for this drink: its record carries no tokenised ingredient list to derive from.