Non-Alcoholic Drink Mixes With Fruit Juice

These non-alcoholic drink mixes combine fruit juice with sparkling water, citrus, and fresh fruit for colorful, easy-to-pour drinks. Make one pitcher of this flexible citrus-berry mix for a gathering, then adjust the sweetness and bubbles to suit your taste.

Ingredients

2 cups (480 ml) chilled orange juice, preferably pulp-free
1½ cups (360 ml) chilled cranberry juice cocktail or unsweetened cranberry juice
½ cup (120 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice, from about 4 to 6 limes
¼ cup (60 ml) simple syrup, plus more to taste
3 cups (720 ml) chilled sparkling water or club soda
1 cup (150 g) hulled and sliced strawberries
1 orange (about 180 g), thinly sliced
1 lime, thinly sliced
2 cups (about 260 g) ice, plus extra for serving
¼ cup (10 g) loosely packed fresh mint leaves

Instructions

Prepare the fruit and citrus. Hull and slice the strawberries, and thinly slice the orange and lime. Squeeze enough limes to make ½ cup (120 ml) juice; strain out seeds. For a less tart drink, begin with ⅓ cup (80 ml) lime juice and add more after tasting.
Mix the juice base. In a large pitcher, stir together the orange juice, cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup until evenly combined. Taste before adding the sparkling water. If the base seems too tart, add simple syrup 1 tablespoon (15 ml) at a time; if it is too sweet, add a little more lime juice.
Add fruit and chill if needed. Stir in the sliced strawberries, orange, and lime. If the juice was not thoroughly chilled, refrigerate the base for 10 minutes. This brief chill is optional if the ingredients are already cold, and it helps keep the finished drink refreshing without relying on extra ice.
Finish with bubbles. Just before serving, add the chilled sparkling water and stir gently once or twice. Avoid vigorous mixing, which releases carbonation. Add the ice and mint, lightly clapping the mint between your palms first to release its aroma without tearing it into small pieces.
Pour and adjust. Pour into ice-filled glasses, including a few pieces of fruit in each serving. Taste a glass and adjust the pitcher if needed: a splash of juice gives it more fruit flavor, while a little extra sparkling water makes it lighter.

Tips

Choose juice to control sweetness. Cranberry juice cocktail is sweetened and gives a rounder flavor; unsweetened cranberry juice is much sharper. If using unsweetened juice, expect to need more syrup, and add it gradually.
Make simple syrup ahead. Stir equal volumes of sugar and hot water until the sugar dissolves, then cool completely before measuring. Refrigerate extra syrup in a clean, covered container and use within 2 weeks.
Keep the fizz intact. Use well-chilled sparkling water and add it only when you are ready to serve. Stir gently, and do not shake the pitcher.
Avoid watering it down. Chill the juice and fruit in advance, and add ice to glasses rather than letting a large amount sit in the pitcher. If preparing outdoors, set the pitcher in a larger bowl of ice.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this mix in small tumblers or tall glasses over fresh ice. A thin orange wheel or strawberry slice on the rim makes an easy garnish; a short sprig of mint adds a fresh scent. For a party, set out extra lime wedges and syrup so guests can fine-tune the tartness and sweetness in their own glasses.

The drink pairs well with salty snacks, sandwiches, grilled vegetables, and spicy foods, since its fruity acidity offers a refreshing contrast. For individual servings, pour about ¾ cup (180 ml) of the juice base into a glass and top with roughly ⅜ cup (90 ml) sparkling water. Adjust those amounts to taste and to the size of the glass.

Variations

Tropical fruit mix: Replace the cranberry juice with pineapple juice and use lemon juice instead of lime. Pineapple is naturally sweet, so reduce the syrup to 2 tablespoons (30 ml) and taste before adding more.
Ginger-citrus version: Replace up to half of the sparkling water with chilled ginger beer or ginger ale. These are generally sweeter than plain sparkling water, so start with half the simple syrup.
Peach and berry: Swap the orange juice for peach nectar and the strawberries for raspberries. Peach nectar is thicker and sweeter, so add extra sparkling water if the drink feels heavy.
Single-glass mix: Stir ¼ cup (60 ml) orange juice, 3 tablespoons (45 ml) cranberry juice, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime juice, and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) simple syrup in a glass. Top with ½ cup (120 ml) sparkling water and serve over ice.

Storage and Reheating

For best carbonation, keep the juice base and sparkling water separate until serving. Refrigerate the covered juice base promptly and use it within 24 hours; the cut fruit may soften and release juice as it sits. As a general food-safety rule, refrigerate perishable ingredients within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F (32°C).

If the sparkling water has already been added, cover and refrigerate leftovers, then use them within 24 hours. They will be safe to drink when handled properly but will lose much of their fizz. Remove old ice before storing, since melting ice dilutes the drink. This is a cold beverage and should not be reheated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this drink ahead?
Yes. Mix the juices, syrup, and sliced fruit up to 4 hours ahead and keep the pitcher covered in the refrigerator. Add the sparkling water, ice, and mint just before pouring so the drink stays fizzy and the mint stays fresh.

What can I use instead of simple syrup?
Use superfine sugar, stirring until it dissolves, or use honey thinned with a little warm water. Honey has a distinct flavor and can be harder to mix into cold juice; cool any honey mixture fully before adding it. Start with less sweetener and adjust to taste.

Can I use bottled lime juice?
Yes, though freshly squeezed lime usually tastes brighter. Bottled lime juice can vary in tartness, so begin with about ⅓ cup (80 ml), taste the base, and add more in small amounts.

How do I make it less sweet?
Use unsweetened cranberry juice, reduce the simple syrup, and add lime juice a teaspoon (5 ml) at a time. You can also increase the sparkling water, but that will make the fruit flavor milder.

Can I freeze the drink?
Freezing the completed mix is not recommended: the fruit softens, and carbonation disappears. You can freeze leftover juice base in an ice-cube tray for up to 2 months, then thaw it in the refrigerator and add fresh sparkling water. The texture of the fruit will not be as firm after thawing.

How can I serve it without added sugar?
Omit the simple syrup and use naturally sweet juice, such as orange or pineapple, then adjust the lime to keep the drink balanced. The result will be more tart if you use unsweetened cranberry juice, so choose the juice blend according to your preference.

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