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Fresh Healthy Cherry Shrub Mocktail Recipe Easy Sparkling Water Mint Drink

cherry shrub mocktail - featured image
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A refreshing and healthy cherry shrub mocktail made with a tangy-sweet vinegar-based syrup, fresh mint, and sparkling water. Perfect for warm weather and guilt-free sipping.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved (Bing cherries recommended)
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar (raw, unfiltered preferred)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar or honey (local honey recommended)
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
  • 4 cups sparkling water, chilled (plain or lightly flavored)
  • Ice cubes, as needed
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine fresh pitted cherries, granulated sugar (or honey), and apple cider vinegar. Stir gently and let sit for 10 minutes to macerate.
  2. Place saucepan over medium heat and bring mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer for about 5 minutes until cherries soften and sugar dissolves.
  3. Turn off heat and stir in fresh mint leaves. Cover and let steep for 20-30 minutes to infuse flavor.
  4. Strain syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl or jar, pressing gently on solids to extract liquid. Discard solids or save for garnish.
  5. Let syrup cool completely, then transfer to a glass jar or bottle. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before use.
  6. To prepare the mocktail, fill a serving glass with ice and pour 2-3 tablespoons (30-45 ml) of cherry shrub syrup.
  7. Add a splash of fresh lemon juice if desired.
  8. Top with 8 ounces (240 ml) chilled sparkling water and stir gently to combine.
  9. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a few whole cherries. Serve immediately.

Notes

Let the cherries and sugar macerate before heating to draw out juices. Steep the syrup with mint off heat for 20-30 minutes for best flavor. Adjust sweetness or tartness by varying syrup amount or sweetener. Store syrup refrigerated up to two weeks. Mix syrup and sparkling water just before serving to keep fizz.

Nutrition

Keywords: cherry shrub, mocktail, sparkling water, mint drink, healthy beverage, vinegar syrup, summer drink, non-alcoholic cocktail

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/fresh-healthy-cherry-shrub-mocktail-recipe-easy-sparkling-water-mint-drink/