Fruity Simple Syrups for Fancy Pants Sparkling Water

Mocktails are kinda my thing, and I’ve done several recipes on my blog to keep everyone sipping on something fun, but I thought it might be helpful to pull together just the simple syrup part of each recipe into one post for easy reference. It is summer sipping time, after all!

I use raw honey to keep my simple syrups on the healthy side, so when you pour in sparkling water, you have a great alternative to soda on your hands. And don’t limit yourself to just plain sparkling water! Try souping up any one of these recipes with a variety of flavors…orange on Monday, lime on Friday. Even mix ’em with a low-sugar ginger beer…you know, if you want to get crazy on  a Saturday. (What?!)

With these chilling in your fridge, you’ll be just minutes away from a refreshing fancy pants sparkling water for just yourself or the whole crew.

Enjoy!
M

Raspberry or Blueberry Simple Syrup

Ingredients:
2 cups raspberries
1/3 cup raw honey

Directions:

1. Add berries to a small saucepan over medium-low heat. As they get hot, use the back of a fork to crush the berries and release the juices. Once the berries are in a pureed state, place a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and pour puree through, using the back of a spoon to press as much juice through as possible. Discard pulp.
2. Return the juice to the saucepan and add honey. Heat on low and stir until honey is completely melted.
3. Refrigerate in a mason jar.
4. To serve, stir syrup (2 to 4 tablespoons, to taste) with twelve ounces of sparkling water.

Lime & Jalapeno Simple Syrup

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh lime juice (about 8 limes’ worth)
1/3 cup raw honey
3-5 slices of jalapeño

1. Add lime juice and raw honey to a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until honey is melted. Pour into a mason jar and add slices of jalapeño.
2. Refrigerate.
3. To serve, stir syrup (2 to 4 tablespoons, to taste) with twelve ounces of sparkling water. And I like to add a little salt. Mmm…

Blackberry Lavender

Ingredients:
2 cups blackberries
1/3 cup raw honey
1 teaspoon lavender

Directions:

1. Add blackberries, 1/3 of a cup of water, and lavender in a small saucepan over low heat. As they heat up, use the back of a fork to crush berries, releasing juices. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove puree from heat. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and pour the puree through, using the back of a spoon to press as much juice through as possible. Discard pulp.
3. Return juice to the saucepan and add honey. Heat on low and stir until honey is completely melted.
4. Refrigerate in a mason jar.
5. To serve, stir syrup (2 to 4 tablespoons, to taste) with twelve ounces of sparkling water.

One other thing I like to do is make flavored ice cubes—try this recipe for Strawberry Lemonade Ice Cubes:

And here’s a few more recipes for citrus flavored ice cubes.