Sugar-Free "Mock-jitos" 2 Ways
Try out this refreshing mocktail this summer, or if you’re feeling celebratory add in some Malibu and simple syrup for a delicious mojito!
I’ve been on a kick with these for the past week after coming back from visiting my sister. She gave me a STUFFED bag full of fresh mint from her garden right before I left and since then, I’ve been working mint into all of my drinks.
A couple years ago, I was studying abroad in the University of Melbourne and decided to tour some of the incredible country of Australia while I was there. I met a good friend, Jana, at my residence in Queen’s College and her family generously offered to host me in their home in the Gold Coast of Australia. During my week there another good friend, Edmond, came to stay for a night and we celebrated the end of the semester with homemade mojitos.
Now, I’m not a big drinker. I’m actually mildly allergic to alcohol and will break out in red and white hive-like splotches all over my body. I also just really can’t stand the smell and taste of alcohol (it’s like straight up sharpie). However, I will make the exception a couple times a year to join in on my close friends and family festivities. This was one of those nights.
I was FLOORED by how good this drink was. Considering I don’t particularly like coconut either, I was shocked that I liked a drink with both alcohol AND coconut. I don’t know how Jana did it, but I attributed my liking of the drink to the minty lime flavor combination.
Now, during summer quarantine I find myself missing those warm nights in the Gold Coast with close friends. To help curb those feelings, I decided to recreate those mojitos and so that I could have them more often, adapted an alcohol-free and sugar-free version! Enjoy!
Sugar-Free “Mock-jitos”
Time: 5 minutes | Servings: 2
Ingredients:
3-4 Limes (I used 7 key limes)
Large handful of fresh mint leaves (depending on how much you like)
5 pitted cherries
1 Bottle Lime Flavored Sparkling Water
Ice to fill glasses
Chop limes into wedges and divide juice and rinds evenly into 2 glasses. Muddle half of the mint into each glass, muddling cherries as well into one, until mint oils are well mixed with the lime juice. The rinds of the limes will help break apart the mint for this, so leave them in! Fill each glass with ice and then pour sparkling water into each. Give both a good stir so the flavors can mix and enjoy!