Cucumber-Lime Sparkler
A crisp, alcohol-free drink that still feels like a cocktail. Fresh cucumber, lime, and mint keep it bright and refreshing without being overly sweet.
Servings 1
Ingredients
- 3 thin cucumber slices plus 1 ribbon for garnish
- ½ lime cut into wedges
- 4 to 6 fresh mint leaves
- Ice
- 6 to 8 ounces chilled club soda or sparkling water
- Optional: a small pinch of flaky salt
Instructions
- Add the cucumber slices, lime wedges, and mint to a cocktail shaker or sturdy glass.
- Gently muddle for about 10 seconds, just enough to release the lime juice and mint aroma. Do not pulverize the mint, which can make the drink taste bitter.
- Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour the cucumber-lime mixture over the ice.
- Top with chilled club soda and stir once or twice.
- Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and a sprig of mint. Add a tiny pinch of flaky salt if you like a more balanced, restaurant-style drink.
Make It Your Own
- Add a few sliced jalapeños while muddling for a little heat.
- Use grapefruit instead of lime for a slightly more bitter, grown-up version.
- Add a splash of coconut water if you want a lightly sweeter drink after a hot day.
- For a sweeter option, stir in ½ teaspoon honey or simple syrup before adding the sparkling water.
Notes
If you are doing the 14-Day Alcohol Reset, choose plain sparkling water or club soda without added sugar. The goal is not to make your routine perfect. It is simply to give yourself a good alcohol-free option when you still want the ritual of a drink in your hand.