Strawberry Mocktail With Sprite [Recipe]
Cocktails are the most fun out of any drink there is, but unfortunately it’s not always a cocktail o’clock. Instead of keeping them on standby, I fell in love with mocktails to keep my tropical spirits all year round. An hour is not that happy, but it’s very close!
I love them fruity, tangy, and crisp with a splash of sparkles. My fav booster juice to use here is Sprite hands up. Also, I simply adore the fact that they are real eye candy, so they became a staple drink in my house for any get-together. And since it’s strawberry season starting, I made a strawberry mocktail with Sprite!
What makes strawberry mocktail with Sprite special?
As its name says it has a base made out of strawberries, but I wanted it a bit more fruity, so I added a dash of pineapple juice. Those two flavors make an ultimate taste rhapsody to manifest sunny days. Sweet strawberry and exotic pineapple blend very well with a touch of lemon-lime-induced sparkly Sprite.
For me, the cocktail isn’t a cocktail if there is no loads of tanginess. I like to boost that acidity with lime but frozen. I also love a hint of cool sensation, so I chop a few leaves of fresh mint. Plus, adding some ginger for a warm aftertaste is my cup of tea.
How to make this strawberry mocktail with Sprite?
The variations here are endless, but here’s my pinnacle recipe! The making process can’t be simpler and it’s ready in a heartbeat. You just need to freeze a few things in advance for extra freshness! This is the shopping list!
- Strawberries – Sweet relish of strawberries is a great base for a cocktail. You can swap them with cranberries if you fancy tart drinks.
- Lime – Vibrant and zesty limes are there to smash the flavors and make a cocktail from a simple juice. You can use lemon instead for the sour aftertaste.
- Pineapple juice – Pineapple is sweet and tart at the same time, so it won’t overpower any other flavor.
- Mint – Mint has a fresh aroma and gives a lingering chilling effect on the tongue. It is subtly sweet, too, so don’t skip it if you want a top-notch taste. Basil will work amazingly, as well.
- Ginger– I like to grate a bit of fresh ginger to spice things up. You can skip this step or add powdered ginger.
- Honey – I like to drizzle strawberries with honey a bit, as I like it on the sweeter side. Plus, it will soothe the spiciness of ginger.
- Sugar – Granulated sugar is there just for garnishing. If you use sparkling water instead of Sprite, consider adding some to your strawberry puree.
- Sprite – Fizzy Sprite is a refreshing and pretty clean-tasting drink. It creates a perfect balance between fruity notes as it’s not overwhelming but subtle. Good substitutions are 7-Up and Ginger Ale.
Now, let’s make this any party-worthy drink from scratch!
Step 1: Making lime cubes
I like to freeze lime to add to the cocktail instead of simple ice, as it dilutes my drink. Just squeeze some fresh lime juice into an ice tray and leave it in the freezer. About 2 hours will be enough.
That way you’ll get both, a strong flavor and a crispy cold drink.
Step 2: Making strawberry purée
Here you can use fresh or frozen strawberries. I opted for frozen as it’s still not a strawberry season where I live and I like them juicy, not unnaturally grown. Place the frozen strawberries in the pot and simmer them a bit for them to defrost. 5 minutes should be enough.
Use a blender to purée them, drizzle them with honey, and leave them to cool. If you’re using fresh berries just chop them into mini cubes if you like chunks. You can press them with a potato masher or purée them, as well, for a smooth texture.
If you don’t want either, simply use strawberry syrup.
Step 3: Prepare the glass
If you want to go all out, leave a glass in the freezer to chill. Use a slice of lime to wet the rim of the glass and dive it in granulated sugar.
Step 4: Assembling the mocktail
Pour strawberry purée first, then add a few leaves of fresh mint and press it with the back of a wooden spoon to release all the taste and aroma. Be careful not to tear the leaves, just press them lightly to activate the tang.
Add some grated or sliced fresh ginger to spice things up. Fill the glass with lime ice cubes and pour chilled Sprite over till 7/8 of the glass. Use a bit of pineapple juice for a finishing touch. I like to use 100% juice for the best taste.
Decorate your mocktail with slices of lime and mint, toss a straw in, and enjoy!
How to store strawberry mocktail with Sprite?
Sprite is a fizzy drunk, so I don’t recommend making it in batches, as it will be bubble-less. It will be fresh for a day or two in an air-tight container, though.
When it comes to strawberries and lime, you can freeze them both for four months and just pour the juice over them. That way you’ll have a fresh cocktail in 10 seconds!
The recipe below is enough for 1 serving, but you can multiply it as many times as you want to make drinks for the crowd.
Variations
Here are a few more ideas to consider!
Making it diet-friendly
If you want to enjoy your mocktail but still keep a calorie count, simply exchange Sprite with sparkling water. If you found it too tart this way, sugar your strawberries with some non-caloric sweetener, honey, or agave syrup.
This way you’ll get a non-sugar and keto-friendly drink.
Fruits
You don’t need to use the strawberry and pineapple combo at all. Raspberries (or any other berries in fact), mango, watermelon, or just citruses (orange, tangerine, clementine) also pair flawlessly.
Add an aroma
If you want a non-alcoholic drink but like the liqueur aroma, add some rum aroma. Rum blends wonderfully with those flavors, making it even more exotic!
Strawberry Mocktail With Sprite
Equipment
- 1 blender
- 1 Ice tray
Ingredients
Strawberry purée
- 3.5 ounces frozen strawberry (≈100 grams)
- 1 tsp honey
Cocktail
- 0.8 cup Sprite (≈200 milliliters) That’s 4/5 of one can.
- 0.2 cup pineapple juice (≈50 milliliters)
- 1 lime (juiced)
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 5 leaves of fresh mint
For Decorating
- a bit of granulated sugar
- 1 slice lime
- a few leaves of mint
Instructions
Making Lime Cubes
- I like to freeze lime to add to the cocktail instead of simple ice, as it dilutes my drink. Just squeeze some fresh lime juice into an ice tray and leave it in the freezer. About 2 hours will be enough.
Making Strawberry Purée
- Place the frozen strawberries in the pot and simmer them a bit for them to defrost. 5 minutes should be enough.
- Use a blender to purée them, drizzle them with honey, and leave them to cool. If you’re using fresh berries just chop them into mini cubes if you like chunks. You can press them with a potato masher or purée them, as well, for a smooth texture.
Prepare the Glass
- If you want to go all out, leave a glass in the freezer to chill. Use a slice of lime to wet the rim of the glass and dive it in granulated sugar.
Assembling the Mocktail
- Pour strawberry purée first, then add a few leaves of fresh mint and press it with the back of a wooden spoon to release all the taste.
- Add some grated or sliced fresh ginger to spice things up. Fill the glass with lime ice cubes and pour chilled Sprite over till 7/8 of the glass. Use a bit of pineapple juice for a finishing touch.
- Decorate your mocktail with slices of lime and mint, toss a straw in.
- Cheers!
