Citrus and Honey Mocktail
Citrus and Honey Mocktail
This zesty alcohol-free Citrus And Honey Mocktail recipe has a delicious herby note from fresh sage leaves, sweetness from honey, and plenty of brightness from mandarin and lemon juice. It's a refreshing and light sip any time of year. This non-alcoholic cocktail is ideal for those who don't drink. Made with delicious healthy ingredients, and the best part? It's super easy to prepare!
When citrus season is underway, I want to be eating as much of these juicy fruits as possible. And when I can't eat anymore? It's time to drink my citrus! I have been loving creating new citrus drink recipes like this Spiced Maple Citrus Pear Mocktail and this Blood Orange Strawberry Mocktail.
My favorite go-to at the moment that I have been turning to is this soothing and refreshing this Citrus And Honey Mocktail.
It's full of immune-boosting vitamin C from mandarins and lemon, plus antioxidants from honey. And because this is a healthy non-alcoholic drink, you can sip it from morning to night and reap the health benefits all day long it's a win-win if you ask me!
How to Make Citrus and Honey Mocktails
Making these sunny bright drinks is a simple matter of infusing water with fresh sage and balancing out the deep, herby flavor with fresh citrus juice. You'll need a medium saucepan and something to muddle everything together with, in addition to a few simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Here's what to get out to start making these Citrus And Honey Mocktails:
- Honey. I recommend using local honey. It's naturally higher in anti-microbial and antioxidants. Plus, eating local honey may help you better acclimate to your local environment and can help reduce allergy reactions.
- Fresh sage leaves. This herb has a unique flavor and a beautiful look and feel. Its fuzzy leaves are full of savory, aromatic flavors that pair perfectly with honey and citrus.
- Fresh mandarin or tangerine juice. Choose your favorite orange citrus fruit. I like to use smaller mandarin or tangerines because I can easily fit the cute little orange segments into my glass as a garnish.
- Fresh lemon juice. You can also use a zesty lime instead of lemon. This stronger citrus flavor adds a bright and sunny flavor to really make your cocktail come alive.
- Agave syrup. You can also sweeten the drinks with pure cane sugar or maple syrup if you prefer.
Instructions
When you have your ingredients assembled, here are the simple steps to mix up Citrus and Honey Mocktails:
- First, in a medium pot over medium-high heat, add bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, add the sage leaves and honey. Continue to boil for 2-3 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let the mixture steep, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the fresh mandarins or tangerines and lemon juice. Use a muddler or a fork to gently crush the fruit until the citrus is totally broken down. Add the agave and stir until combined.
- When the sage is done steeping, remove the leaves from the honey syrup. Transfer the infused honey syrup to a pitcher.
- To serve your mocktails, fill glasses with ice. Pour the honey-sage syrup to fill each glass halfway. Then fill the glass ⅓ with the citrus mixture. Finally, add mandarin or tangerine segments and fresh sage leaves for garnish, if desired.
Storage Suggestions
You can store the honey-sage syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. To use, you can stir the syrup into hot tea or water or make more chilled alcohol-free mocktails!
Why You Will Love This Circus And Honey Mocktail!
- It is super easy. This mocktail recipe is the simplest to whip up at home, whether you're making it for one person or a whole party.
- Refreshing. This zesty number will leave you feeling fresh and energized!
- The more, the merrier! This recipe can be easily adapted to make a larger quantity. Just double or triple the recipe!
- Healthy! Yup, all that citrusy goodness is full of immune-boosting goodness!
How to Use Honey-Sage Syrup
If you have a jar of homemade honey-sage syrup in your fridge, there are dozens of delicious and easy ways to use it. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
- Stir it into brewed black or green tea for a sweet pick-me-up.
- Add it to a chilled smoothie for a unique sweetener to replace agave, honey, or maple syrup.
- Use it in place of another liquid sweetener in baking or pancake recipes.
- Drizzle a bit over your morning yogurt.
- Make citrus and honey mocktails, of course!
Garnishing Your Citrus And Honey Mocktails
Everyone can appreciate a beautiful-looking drink...(Well, I know I sure do) and there's no better way to make a statement than with a unique garnish. Here are some ideas to dress up that mocktail!
- Mandarin or tangerine slices or twists! A classic, I know. Add fresh slices (or twists) to your glass to mimic the drink's flavor. Or use dehydrated ones for an extra flare.
- Pomegranate Arils. These small delicious gems add a beautiful splash of color to orange drinks!
- Fresh Sage. It's a no-brainer!
- Fresh Ginger. Want a little flavor hit? Ginger helps play up the flavors and adds its own type of spice!
Adding Alcohol
If you’d like to serve this as a cocktail, you can add 1 ounce of tequila, vodka, or gin to each glass.
More Fun Mocktail Recipes To Try!
Looking for more colorful and fruity non-alcoholic drink recipes? Give these a try next:
- Strawberry Pomegranate Mocktail
- Pineapple Jalapeño Lime Mocktail
- Honey Grapefruit Pineapple Thyme Mocktail
- Jamaican Rum Punch Mocktail
- Loaded Hibiscus Mocktail
- Spicy Watermelon Mojito Mocktail
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Citrus and Honey Mocktail
Ingredients
- 1 cup filtered water
- ¾ cup raw honey + 2 Tbsps
- 4 sage leaves
- 1 cup juice of a mandarin or tangerine
- 1 tablespoon juice of a lemon (See Notes!)
Instructions
- To begin, In a medium pot over medium-high heat, add water and let it begin to boil. Once boiling, add the sage leaves and honey boil for 2-3 minutes before turning off heat and letting everything steep (while covered), about 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, add together the fresh mandarins or tangerines and lemon juice, mulling (crushing) everything until fruit are fully broke down, stirring until combined. Set aside. NOTE: You can add additional honey, if desired.
- Once fully steeped, remove sage leaves and pour mixture into a medium pitcher (or medium bowl that can be easily poured) and set aside to cool completely.
- To Make Mocktails: Add crushed ice to a glass, fill ½ of the glass with the Honey-Sage Syrup, then ⅓ of it with the cooled citrus mixture and add sliced mandarin or tangerine and sage leaves inside the glasses as garnish, if desired. Repeat for every serving.
- Sip and Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Honey-Sage syrup can be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed jar for up to a week. **Can be made as a traditional Honey-Sage drink/tea (once warmed) with additional sage leaves OR enjoyed as this mocktail recipe.
- SWEETENER: Instead of honey, you can always use organic cane sugar or maple syrup to sweeten.
- LEMON: Instead of using lemon juice, you can always use lime juice as a substitute.
Nutrition
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Citrus and Honey Mocktail.
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