Why You’ll Love This Lemon Mint Sparkling Water

• It’s unbelievably refreshing. The crisp bubbles combined with the cool mint and zingy lemon create a sensation that genuinely wakes up your senses. It’s like a splash of cool water for your palate.
• You have total control. You can make it as sweet or as tart as you like, and you can really bruise that mint to release as much flavour as you want. It’s your drink, your rules.
• It’s a fantastic healthy habit. Reaching for this instead of a sugary soda is a small change that feels really good. It’s hydrating, naturally flavoured, and feels like a treat without any guilt.
• It’s incredibly versatile. This isn’t just a solo act. It’s a perfect base for mocktails, or it can be easily elevated for a gathering. A little goes a long way in making any moment feel special.

Ingredients & Tools

• 1 large lemon, preferably organic
• 1 small handful fresh mint leaves (about 10-12 large leaves)
• 1 litre chilled plain sparkling water
• 1-2 tsp honey, maple syrup, or simple syrup (optional)
• A few ice cubes

Tools: A tall glass or a pitcher, a muddler or the back of a spoon, a knife, and a cutting board.

The quality of your ingredients really shines here, so use the freshest mint you can find and a nice, juicy lemon. The sparkling water is the canvas, so choose one you enjoy—whether it’s intensely fizzy or more gently carbonated.

Serves: 1 (can be easily scaled up) | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• Why organic lemon? Since we’re using the zest and the peel might go into the drink, opting for organic ensures you avoid any unwanted waxes or pesticides. If you can’t find organic, give the lemon a really good scrub under warm water.
• The mint matters. You want perky, vibrant green leaves, not ones that are wilting or turning black. The aroma should be strong and fresh when you gently rub a leaf between your fingers.
• To sweeten or not to sweeten? I honestly love it both ways. Starting without sweetener lets you appreciate the pure flavours. You can always add a tiny bit of honey or syrup at the end if you feel it needs it. The trick is to start light—you can add more, but you can’t take it out.
• Chill everything. This seems obvious, but using a chilled glass and cold sparkling water makes a world of difference. It keeps the drink fizzy and refreshing from the first sip to the last.

How to Make Lemon Mint Sparkling Water

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• A light summer salad — Think something with goat cheese and berries. The crisp, clean taste of the drink cuts through the creaminess of the cheese beautifully.
• Spicy Asian cuisine — The cooling mint and lemon are a perfect foil for the heat of a Thai green curry or some spicy noodles. It’s like a fire extinguisher for your palate.
• A simple grilled chicken or fish — The citrus notes in the drink will complement the charred, savoury flavours of the grill without overpowering them.

Drinks

• On its own, always — It’s perfect in its simplicity. Sometimes, the best pairing is just another glass of this refreshing elixir.

Something Sweet

• Lemon sorbet — Double down on the citrus theme for a truly refreshing end to a meal. The sorbet will feel like a natural extension of the drink.
• Shortbread cookies — The buttery, crumbly texture of a good shortbread is a lovely, subtle contrast to the bright, fizzy drink.
• Fresh berries — A bowl of ripe strawberries or raspberries is a healthy, no-fuss sweet treat that echoes the fresh fruit notes in the beverage.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Over-muddling the mint. If you get too aggressive, you’ll shred the leaves and release chlorophyll, which can make your drink taste bitter and grassy. Gentle bruising is the name of the game.
• Mistake: Using warm ingredients. If your glass, sparkling water, or lemon aren’t chilled, the drink will taste flat and lukewarm almost instantly. The shock of the cold is part of the experience.
• Mistake: Adding the sparkling water too early. You always want to add your base flavours (mint, lemon, sweetener) first, then the bubbles last. This ensures maximum fizz when you serve it.
• Mistake: Making it too far in advance. This is a drink meant for immediate enjoyment. If it sits for more than 10-15 minutes, the mint can start to wilt and the bubbles will definitely go flat.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Create a mint simple syrup. If you know you love a sweeter version and make this often, steep a handful of mint leaves in a cup of hot simple syrup for 30 minutes, then strain. It incorporates the mint flavour evenly and the sweetness dissolves instantly.
• Tip: Freeze lemon juice and mint into ice cubes. For a party, freeze small mint leaves and a few drops of lemon juice in your ice cube trays. As they melt, they’ll flavour the water without diluting it as much as plain ice.
• Tip: Experiment with different citrus. Try a combination of lemon and lime, or use a sweet Meyer lemon when they’re in season. A slice of blood orange also adds a beautiful colour and a slightly different flavour profile.
• Tip: Use a fine mesh strainer for a clearer drink. If you don’t like little bits of mint leaf floating in your glass, you can strain the muddled mint and lemon juice into a fresh glass before adding the ice and sparkling water.

FAQs

Can I make a big batch of this for a party?
You absolutely can! The trick is to do it in stages. Muddle the mint and mix it with the lemon juice and sweetener in a large pitcher. But do not add the sparkling water until right before you’re ready to serve. You can even prepare the mint-lemon base a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. When guests arrive, add ice and pour the sparkling water in, giving it a gentle stir. This way, everyone gets a fizzy, fresh drink.

My drink tastes bitter. What happened?
Bitterness usually comes from one of two places. First, you might have included too much of the white pith when you peeled the lemon zest—that pith is very bitter. Second, you might have over-muddled the mint, breaking the leaves down too much. Next time, be extra careful with your zesting and remember that a gentle press and twist is all the mint needs to release its oils.

What’s the best type of sparkling water to use?
This is really a matter of personal preference. I like a neutral-tasting, highly carbonated water like San Pellegrino or Perrier because it provides a strong bubbly base without any added flavours. But if you enjoy the mineral taste of something like Topo Chico, that works great too! Just avoid flavoured sparkling waters, as they’ll compete with the beautiful lemon and mint you’re adding yourself.

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it. The flavour of fresh-squeezed lemon juice is so much brighter and more vibrant compared to the concentrated, often preservative-laden taste of bottled juice. The fresh juice is a key component of what makes this drink so special. It only takes a moment to juice half a lemon, and the difference is truly night and day.

How can I turn this into a cocktail?
This is a fantastic mocktail base that’s easily elevated. For a simple vodka lemonade cocktail, add a shot (1.5 oz) of your favourite vodka to the glass after muddling the mint. For a more herbal twist, gin works wonderfully with the mint and lemon. Just add your spirit of choice before the sparkling water, and you’ve got a sophisticated, refreshing cocktail in minutes.