Raspberry Mint Home Refresher
Raspberry Mint Refresher
A bright homemade raspberry drink with fresh mint, lemon, and chilled sparkling water for an easy warm-weather refresher.
Nutrition (per serving)
This raspberry mint home refresher is the kind of drink that fits a quiet afternoon, a backyard meal, or a pitcher kept cold in the refrigerator for anyone who wants something brighter than plain water. Fresh raspberries give it a vivid berry flavor, while lemon and mint keep the drink clean, lively, and not too sweet.
The method is simple: crush the berries with a little honey, lemon, and mint, then strain the mixture so the finished drink is smooth enough to sip over ice. Sparkling water goes in at the end so the bubbles stay crisp instead of going flat while the fruit is being mixed.
Use very ripe raspberries when possible because they need less sweetener and make the prettiest color. If the berries are tart, add honey a teaspoon at a time after straining, tasting before the sparkling water is added so the flavor stays balanced.
Serve the drink right away in chilled glasses, or make the raspberry base a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Add the sparkling water and ice just before serving for the freshest texture.
Ingredients
- fresh raspberries:3 cups
- cold still water:1/2 cup
- fresh lemon juice:3 tbsp
- honey:3 tbsp
- fresh mint leaves, plus more for serving:1/3 cup
- chilled sparkling water:3 cups
- ice:as needed
- lemon slices for serving:4
Instructions
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Add the raspberries, still water, lemon juice, honey, and mint leaves to a medium bowl or large measuring cup.
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Mash firmly with a muddler or wooden spoon for 1 to 2 minutes, until the berries release their juice and the mint smells fragrant.
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Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes so the mint can infuse the raspberry juice.
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Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
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Taste the raspberry base and stir in a little more honey if the berries are especially tart.
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Fill four glasses with ice and divide the raspberry base evenly between them.
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Top each glass with chilled sparkling water and stir gently just once or twice to combine.
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Garnish with mint sprigs and lemon slices, then serve immediately while the drink is cold and bubbly.
Tips & Notes
- For a still version, replace the sparkling water with very cold filtered water.
- Make only the raspberry base ahead; add sparkling water at serving time so the drink keeps its fizz.
- For a smoother drink, strain the raspberry base twice through a fine-mesh strainer.
