Elsa’s Icy Mint Lemonade Sparkler
A refreshing sparkling lemonade infused with fresh mint and a frosty blue hue, perfect for a magical icy-themed gathering. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together (about 6 lemons) fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar, divided water for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 6, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (about 6 lemons) fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups divided water
- 1/4 cup, plus extra for garnish fresh mint leaves
- 2 tbsp blue curaçao syrup (non-alcoholic)
- 2 cups club soda
- to serve ice cubes
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely to make a simple syrup. Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves. Let steep for 15 minutes, then strain out the mint leaves.
- Step 2: In a large pitcher, combine 1 cup fresh lemon juice, the cooled mint simple syrup, and 3 cups cold water. Stir well.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp blue curaçao syrup to the lemonade mixture and stir until evenly colored a pale icy blue.
- Step 4: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the lemonade mixture halfway. Top with chilled 1/2 cup club soda per glass for fizz.
- Step 5: Garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh mint and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Elsa’s Icy Mint Lemonade Sparkler take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Elsa’s Icy Mint Lemonade Sparkler?
Refrigerate any leftover elsa’s icy mint lemonade sparkler in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Elsa’s Icy Mint Lemonade Sparkler?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Elsa’s Icy Mint Lemonade Sparkler for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Elsa’s Icy Mint Lemonade Sparkler?
General cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.