Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups sparkling water
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey (or agave syrup for a vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
- Orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your citrus juices. Squeeze fresh oranges and lemons until you have the required amounts. I find that doing this by hand with a trusty old juicer adds a bit of personal touch, much like Mum used to squeeze the apples for her crumbles.
- In a large pitcher, combine the fresh orange juice, lemon juice, honey, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Stir well until the honey (or agave syrup) is completely dissolved. This step always reminds me of mixing batter for scones on those crisp Devon mornings.
- Add ice cubes to the pitcher to chill the mixture slightly. This keeps the drink wonderfully cold without watering it down too much.
- Just before serving, pour the sparkling water into the pitcher. Stir gently to combine, being careful not to lose the bubbles. Watching the fizz rise is a small joy that never fails to make me smile.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness if necessary. Sometimes, like life, a little extra sweetness is needed.
- Pour into tall glasses, garnishing each with a sprig of fresh mint and a slice of orange. These little touches are what make a drink feel special and complete the experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International