This tart, sweet Lime-Mint Spritzer is simply a virgin mojito. Lime and mint come together in a sparkly beverage perfect for special occasions or warm summer afternoons. I found the inspiration for this recipe while thumbing through one of my favorite cookbooks and it didn’t disappoint! It’s quick, easy, inexpensive and delicious.
Ingredient Notes
- Sugar – Consider the sugar measurement as a starting point. Depending on the tartness of your limes, or who you are serving (kids might think it’s a little too tart), feel free to add more sugar to taste.
- Mint – The addition of fresh mint adds an extra little something to what is essentially sparkling limeade here (which is also tasty if you prefer to leave out the mint- just don’t call it a mojito after that!). You can find fresh mint in the produce section near other fresh herbs.
- Limes – Any lime will work here but, in general, thin skinned limes like key limes or other larger varieties without a super thick skin tend to have the best flavor for use in beverages.
- Sparkling Water – Sparkling water is not very expensive and produces a light fizzy drink. Club soda could also work, although it will produce a more carbonated finished product.
How to Make Lime-Mint Spritzers
Assembling these virgin mojitos is super quick and easy! In the printable instructions, you will make a pitcher of spritzers you can then serve in 2 large, or 4 small glasses. In these photos I’m simply making them directly in 2 serving glasses.
- Finely chop your mint leaves, transfer them to a pitcher (or directly in glasses), and press them with the back of a spoon to release the oils. Add the sugar and press again.
- Add the lime juice and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Add the chilled sparkling water and mix gently. Pour over ice (or add ice to glasses), garnish with slices of lime and sprigs of mint, and serve immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these ahead of time? Since this drink is sparkling, it’s best to serve it fresh. If needed you could certainly prepare the lime-mint syrup ahead of time and then simply mix in the chilled sparkling water when ready to serve.
Looking for more beverages? Consider some of these favorites!
Fresh Squeezed Lemonade and Limeade
Strawberry-Coconut Lime Spritzer
Did You Make This?
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Lime-Mint Spritzers
- Total Time: 10
- Yield: about 4 cups. 2 large or 4 small servings
Description
This virgin mojito is tart and sweet. Lime and mint come together in a sparkly beverage perfect for special occasions or warm summer afternoons.
Ingredients
8–10 large mint leaves
1/2 cup sugar (you can add more if necessary)
3/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 7 small, juicy limes)
1 24-ounce bottle of sparkling water (like Perrier)
Instructions
- Finely chop the mint leaves. Place the chopped mint leaves in a pitcher and press them with the back of a spoon to release the oils. Add the sugar and press the mint leaves and sugar together with the back of a spoon- or the handle of a large wooden spoon. Add the lime juice and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and no longer grainy.
- Right before serving, add the sparkling water and serve immediately over ice. Garnish with lime slices and mint leaves.
Notes
Not a fan of mint? Leaving it out of this recipe will give you a nice sparkling limeade!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Beverages
Questions & Reviews
Didn’t have any Perrier or sparkling water, so i used ginger Ale and cut the sugar. Deelicious!!
How did using Ginger ale go?
I’ve made these twice now – really good and really fun! Last night I diced up a few sweet cherries (bing cherries) and muddled them together with the sugar and limes. Yummy and gives it a nice color and a bit of extra sweetness and flavor! Happy summer!
I made this today and it was very tasty! Next time I will add slightly more sugar as mentioned in the recipe.
Great – I’ll share this with my friends who don’t drink!
Another version we’ve been using alot uses tonic water, real cranberry juice, a quarter of a lime or half a key lime, 7-10 mint leaves and a tablespoon of sugar. You muddle or using the bottom of say a wooden spoon squeeze all the juice out of the limes onto the sugar and slightly cut up the leaves but LEAVE them in the glass. Put a layer of ice on top to hold everything down. Put in even amounts of Tonic water and cranberry juice. Now I stir with a straw to mix in the sugar mint flavor and lime flavor. It is a great summer virgin mojito mix as well!!
I loved this refreshing summer drink (though I think a winter “mocktail” party would be a great idea for when outdoor activities are limited). I was approximating 1.75 times the recipe in order to use up an opened bottle of club soda. I ended up with more sparkling water in it than it probably should have, but we liked the less sweet, less intense version.
I’ve been making something similar since I grow my own limes and mint. I make a simple syrup with chopped up fresh ginger in it (sometimes peeled and sliced into “coins” so I have minced ginger candy for sprinkling on things – puddings, cookies, or just eating for a digestif). I make the syrup, let it cool, strain out and discard the ginger pieces (if I’ve been lazy and didn’t peel them) and pour the syrup into a glass container (that used to have Italian lemonade in it) in the refrigerator just for these lime coolers (mojito style). I use plain sparkling selzer water (also called soda water) that is low-sodium (Raley’s brand here in Northern California) to top off the fresh crushed mint and simple syrup mixed together, followed by ice cubes and the seltzer – I have to use very tall glasses since I use about 1/2 a can of selzer per drink. The tang of ginger perks up the taste of mint, lime and sugar which is so refreshing in the heat of a Sacramento summer!
These look very refreshing!!!
Cheers! Leslie
I adore mojitos but don't like to drink a lot… So, I will be making these very soon. Cheers!
Such a wonderful recipe, thank you! Instead of adding sugar, I used a simple syrup and it turned out really well. This is the perfect summer drink.
i love richard.love. and his backstory love him even more. ahh ricardo. oh and the drink looks nice too.
I should've known you would come up with yet another thing I've been dreaming about. Thank you!!!
I did not even see the drink.. I soo Love Nestor too..:) Thanks for sharing!
That is just what I need right now! I hope the grocery store has mint in stock!
do the same with orange juice ..ant it will be like Italian orangina :o)
Me encanta el mojito, y te ha quedado de profesional.
Un beso
A mi me encanta el mojito, y a ti te ha quedado de profesional.
Un beso
I just happen to have the Perrier in the fridge, limes in the fruit basket and the mint in the garden!
I know what I am going to do this afternoon! Thank you.
Kate, I love this post- from the gorgeous drink photo to the Cuban hottie. Looks fantastic!
My favorite drink ever! I used to get this at restaurants but they charge way too much, so now I just make it myself.
I love making drinks like this in the summertime. Instead of adding sugar and lime juice straight into the glass, I use a Tablespoon (or so) of frozen limeade concentrate. Try it 🙂
I LOVE mojitos! What a great refreshing drink!