Citrus Basil Spritzer Mocktail: Zesty and Herbal

I’ve been making this Citrus Basil Spritzer for months now, and let me tell you it has become my go-to drink whenever I need something that is both fancy and ridiculously easy.

The combination of fresh basil with zesty citrus creates this amazing flavor that will make you feel like you are sipping something from a high-end café.

Here is the kicker: you can whip it up in your kitchen in just five minutes.

There is so much more to this simple recipe than meets the eye.

Fresh Herb Infusion Benefits

You know what’s absolutely amazing about fresh herb infusions? They’re basically nature’s way of giving your drinks a serious upgrade while sneaking in some incredible health benefits at the same time. When you muddle or steep fresh herbs like basil in your beverages, you’re releasing essential oils and compounds that have been hiding in those green leaves just waiting to do their magic.

Basil specifically is packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and even some antibacterial qualities… so your invigorating spritzer isn’t just tasting fantastic, it’s actually working overtime to support your body’s wellness goals!

The whole concept of herb-infused drinks isn’t exactly new either, people have been doing this for centuries across different cultures because they figured out that herbs make everything taste better AND feel better.

What’s really cool is how the infusion process works, when you bruise or muddle fresh herbs, you’re breaking down the cell walls which releases all those aromatic compounds and beneficial oils that would otherwise stay locked up inside. It’s like you’re giving the herbs a little encouragement to share all their good stuff with your drink, and trust me, basil is definitely one of the most generous herbs when it comes to flavor and health benefits.

The best part about using fresh herbs in your spritzers is that you’re getting way more nutritional bang for your buck compared to artificial flavors or even dried herbs. Fresh basil contains vitamin K, vitamin A and even some vitamin C, plus it’s got this natural ability to help with digestion and stress relief… which means your citrus basil spritzer is basically a spa day in a glass!

The infusion method also means you’re avoiding all the processed sugars and weird chemicals that come in store-bought flavored drinks, so you can sip away knowing that every invigorating gulp is doing something good for your body while making your taste buds do a happy dance.

Tips To Make It Perfectly At Home

Making this invigorating sipper at home is easier than you think once you know the secrets.

• Fresh basil is everything: Don’t even think about using dried basil here. Fresh leaves give you that bright, aromatic punch that makes this drink sing. Gently muddle them to release oils without turning them into green mush.
• Chill everything beforehand: Your glasses, citrus juice and sparkling water should all be ice-cold before you start mixing. Room temperature ingredients will give you a flat, disappointing drink that tastes more like sad lemonade.
• Balance your citrus game: Use a mix of lemon and lime juice rather than just one. The combination creates more complexity and prevents the drink from being too tart or too bland.
• Don’t overmuddle the basil: A few gentle presses are all you need. Going crazy with the muddler will release bitter compounds and turn your beautiful drink into something that tastes like lawn clippings.
• Add sparkling water last: Pour it slowly down the side of the glass to preserve those precious bubbles. Nobody wants a flat spritzer that’s lost all its fizzy magic.
• Strain out basil bits: Unless you enjoy chewing on herb fragments while sipping, give everything a quick strain before adding the sparkling water. Your taste buds will thank you.
• Serve immediately: This isn’t a drink that gets better with time. The bubbles fade and the basil can turn bitter if it sits too long, so make it and drink it right away.

Food Pairing Ideas

This bright and herbaceous spritzer calls for foods that either complement its fresh citrus-basil harmony or provide a delicious contrast.

Think Mediterranean-inspired bites that won’t compete with those delicate botanical notes.

• Burrata with peach slices: The creamy richness balances the spritzer’s effervescence while the sweet stone fruit echoes those sunny citrus vibes.
• Prosciutto-wrapped melon: Salty meets sweet in the most elegant way and the melon’s juicy texture plays beautifully against the drink’s crisp finish.
• Goat cheese crostini with honey drizzle: Tangy cheese and floral honey create the perfect bridge between the basil’s earthiness and citrus brightness.
• Grilled shrimp skewers: Light protein with a hint of char adds substance without overwhelming those invigorating herbal notes.
• Lemon shortbread cookies: Sometimes you want to lean into the citrus theme and these buttery treats do exactly that with their bright zesty kick.
• Olive tapenade and crackers: Briny Mediterranean flavors provide a savory counterpoint that makes each sip taste even more invigorating.
• Fresh berry tartlets: The natural acidity in berries harmonizes with citrus while adding a pop of color that looks Instagram-worthy next to your spritzer.

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The Free Spirits Company

OR Cut Above Zero Proof Spirits.

One of these is bound to have what you need !

Easy 5-Minute Recipe

This invigorating Citrus Basil Spritzer is like summer decided to throw a party in your glass, and everyone’s invited! The bright citrus notes dance perfectly with the aromatic basil, creating a bubbly, herbaceous drink that’s crisp, clean and totally addictive.

Its light, effervescent texture makes it the perfect afternoon pick-me-up or evening wind-down drink… honestly, there’s never a wrong time for this beauty!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey or simple syrup
• 1/2 cup sparkling water
• 1/2 cup club soda
• Ice cubes
• Fresh basil sprig for garnish
• Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Gently muddle the basil leaves in the bottom of your glass to release those amazing oils, but don’t go crazy… we want bruised, not destroyed!
2. Add the lime juice, lemon juice and honey to the glass, then stir everything together until the honey dissolves completely.
3. Fill your glass about halfway with ice cubes, because nobody wants a warm spritzer on a hot day.
4. Pour in the sparkling water and club soda slowly to keep all those lovely bubbles intact.
5. Give it one final gentle stir to combine all the flavors without killing the fizz.
6. Top with a fresh basil sprig and lime wheel for that Instagram-worthy presentation.
7. Serve immediately while it’s still perfectly bubbly and invigorating!

Prep Times:

• Prep time: 5 minutes
• Total time: 5 minutes

Nutritional Information:

• Servings: 1
• Calories: 682
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Carbs: 180g

Variations To Try

Small tweaks to this invigorating cocktail can transform its character while maintaining that bright citrus-basil harmony.

• Grapefruit Sage Spritzer: Replace lemon juice with fresh grapefruit juice and swap basil for muddled sage leaves for an earthy twist.
• Cucumber Mint Version: Add muddled cucumber slices and substitute fresh mint for basil to create a spa-like refresher.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Muddle one thin jalapeño slice with the basil for a heat that complements the citrus brightness.
• Zero-Proof Garden Cooler: Skip the alcohol and double the sparkling water while adding a splash of elderflower cordial for complexity.
• Blood Orange Thyme: Use blood orange juice instead of lemon and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for a deeper citrus profile.
• Frozen Slush Style: Blend all ingredients with ice to create a slushy texture perfect for hot summer days.

Continue to Content

Yield: 1

Citrus Basil Spritzer

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Meet your new favorite refresher: the Citrus Basil Spritzer! Zingy citrus, fresh basil, and fizzy bubbles come together for a crisp, cooling sip of sunshine.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 30 ml fresh lime juice
• 30 ml fresh lemon juice
• 15 ml honey or simple syrup
• 118 ml sparkling water
• 118 ml club soda
• Ice cubes
• Fresh basil sprig for garnish
• Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions

1. Gently muddle the basil leaves in the bottom of your glass to release those amazing oils, but don't go crazy... we want bruised, not destroyed!
2. Add the lime juice, lemon juice and honey to the glass, then stir everything together until the honey dissolves completely.
3. Fill your glass about halfway with ice cubes, because nobody wants a warm spritzer on a hot day.
4. Pour in the sparkling water and club soda slowly to keep all those lovely bubbles intact.
5. Give it one final gentle stir to combine all the flavors without killing the fizz.
6. Top with a fresh basil sprig and lime wheel for that Instagram-worthy presentation.
7. Serve immediately while it's still perfectly bubbly and invigorating!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 682Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 10mgCarbohydrates: 180gFiber: 2gSugar: 170gProtein: 1g

This nutrition information was automatically calculated by Nutritionix, but may not be 100% accurate.

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If you enjoy this you may also like my Orange Rosemary Fizz Mocktail recipe.