The Imbiber's Elixir
A vibrant, herb-infused non-alcoholic drink that encourages slow sipping and mindful enjoyment of fresh botanical flavors. This recipe, ready in about 5 minutes, brings together fresh mint leaves, fresh basil leaves, fresh lemon juice 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 120 calories and feeds 1, 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
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup honey
- 4 cups sparkling water
- 4 cups ice cubes
The shaker and jigger we’d mix this with → Best Bar Tools for 2026: Shakers, Jiggers & Strainers Worth Buying
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a cocktail shaker, combine 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, and 1/4 cup honey. Muddle gently for 60 seconds until the leaves are finely chopped and the honey dissolves, releasing aromatic oils.
- Step 2: Add 4 cups sparkling water to the shaker, then shake vigorously for 20 seconds until chilled and effervescent.
- Step 3: Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass filled with 4 cups ice cubes, ensuring all herb particles are filtered out. Garnish with a single mint sprig.
