A sweet and earthy sage simple syrup is shaken with fresh lemon juice and bitters to form the base of this sweet-tart mocktail. Each glass is topped off with Topo Chico to add some fizz. This vegan gluten-free mocktail is perfect for winter, spring, and beyond!
recipe updated 2/19/2023
Let’s talk about this mocktail! I’ve been experimenting with a lot of non-alcoholic beverage mixing lately because I have less and less desire to drink alcohol the older I get. At this point, I’ve pretty much cut it out entirely. This sparkling sage lemonade was a recent creation due to a sizable sage harvest in the garden. Sage is one of my favorite herbs but I almost always use it in savory recipes. I wanted to try something sweet for a change so I decided on a sage simple syrup. Inspired by the return of warm spring weather, I paired it with sunny lemon and sparkling water for a seasonally appropriate tipple!
Why You Should Make This Recipe
- The sage and lemon balance each other really well. Even though they seem like an unlikely pair in a drink, they yield a super refreshing and delicious mocktail!
- It’s incredibly easy to make, especially if you want to multiply it for a large group or party.
- It tastes like the time of year when we have one foot planted in winter and the other reaching for spring.
- It’s perfect for those that don’t drink alcohol but still want to sip on something special.
Making The Sage Simple Syrup
You’ll start by making a batch of sage simple syrup. The amounts listed in the recipe below will yield enough simple syrup for 8-10 drinks. Combine the water and sugar in a sauce pan. Bring it to a simmer, stirring as you go to encourage the sugar to dissolve. Once the sugar dissolves and the syrup comes to a simmer, add 1/2 cup of lightly packed sage leaves. Simmer the sage in the syrup for 3 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat. Cover it with a lid and let it steep for 30 minutes to infuse the sage flavor. Once you strain out the sage, the syrup is ready to use!
Making the Sparkling Sage Lemonade
Aside from the ingredients for the sage simple syrup, you’ll notice the rest of the ingredients listed are for each drink. Simply multiply the amounts based on how many drinks you’d like to make. For instance, if you’d like to make 4 drinks, you’ll need 4 oz of lemon juice, 4 oz of the pre-made sage simple syrup, and 12-16 oz of Topo Chico or sparkling water. Easy-peasy!
To make each drink, you’ll add the lemon juice, sage simple syrup, a strip of lemon peel, 1-2 dashes of digestive bitters or cocktail bitters, and 2 or 3 sage leaves to a cocktail shaker. Or, you can use a mason jar and a lid like I did! Add a large handful of ice, then shake vigorously for 60-90 seconds. Strain this mixture into a glass, add some ice, then top it off with the Topo Chico. If you prefer, you can garnish each drink with a lemon round and some sage leaves.
Sparkling Sage Lemonade
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A sweet and earthy sage simple syrup is shaken with fresh lemon juice and bitters to form the base of this sweet-tart mocktail. Each glass is topped off with Topo Chico to add some fizz. This vegan gluten-free mocktail is perfect for winter, spring, and beyond!
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup filtered water
- 1/2 cup lightly packed fresh sage leaves, plus a handful more for making the drink and for garnish
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice per drink
- 1 strip of lemon peel per drink
- 1–2 dashes of digestive or cocktail bitters per drink
- 3–4 oz Topo Chico or plain sparkling water per drink
- lemon rounds for garnish, optional
Instructions
Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring regularly to encourage the sugar to dissolve. Add the sage to the syrup and let it simmer for 3 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat and cover the pan with a lid to let the syrup steep. Steep for 30 minutes, then strain our the sage and pour the syrup into a bottle or jar. Keep it in the fridge and make sure to use it within 2 weeks. Once you make the syrup, you’ll have enough for 8-10 drinks.
For each drink, add 1 oz of the sage simple syrup, 1 oz of fresh lemon juice, 1 strip of lemon rind, 2-3 fresh sage leaves, and a dash or two of bitters to a cocktail shaker or mason jar. Fill the shaker with a large handful of ice, then cover with the lid and shake vigorously for 60-90 seconds. Place a few ice cubes in your chosen glass then strain the mixture from your shaker into your glass. Top with 3-4 oz of chilled Topo Chico and garnish with a sage leaf and lemon round if you like. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- The syrup makes enough for 8-10 drinks! If you want to make a big batch for a party, you can multiply the rest of the recipe by 8. Add the lemon juice, syrup, lemon rind, bitters, and a handful of sage leaves to a pitcher or large bottle. Chill until ready to use, then add 2 oz to each glass, topping off each glass with 3-4 oz of Topo Chico.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: drink
