Sparkling Strawberry Citrus Drink

# Components:

→ Fruit

01 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

02 - 2 thin slices lemon, plus extra for garnish

03 - 2 thin slices cucumber, optional for extra freshness

→ Syrup

04 - 2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup

→ Juice

05 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

→ Sparkling

06 - 1.5 cups chilled sparkling water

→ Garnish

07 - Fresh mint leaves

08 - Ice cubes

# Method:

01 - In a cocktail shaker or sturdy glass, muddle the strawberries, lemon slices, and cucumber slices with the honey or agave syrup until the strawberries are well crushed and release their juice.

02 - Pour the freshly squeezed lemon juice into the shaker and fill with ice cubes.

03 - Shake or stir vigorously to combine all ingredients and chill the mixture thoroughly.

04 - Strain the mixture evenly into two glasses filled with fresh ice.

05 - Fill each glass with sparkling water and gently stir to combine.

06 - Top with fresh mint leaves and lemon slices, then serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -

It tastes elegant and feels like a celebration, but honestly takes less time than ordering takeout.
No guilt, no hangover, just genuine refreshment that actually quenches thirst on hot days.
You can make it with whatever berries or citrus you have hanging around, so it's endlessly forgiving.

02 -

Don't over-muddle the strawberries or you'll crush the seeds into bitter fragments that cloud the drink and change its taste for the worse.
The temperature matters more than you'd think, so chill your sparkling water and glasses beforehand because room-temperature carbonation is depressing.

03 -

Make simple syrup ahead of time if you want an alternative to honey, then you can swap it in whenever the mood strikes without thinking twice.
Keep berries frozen in the freezer so you can make this drink whenever the craving hits, even when fresh strawberries aren't in season.

Sparkling Strawberry Citrus Drink (Printable)