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Easy Orange Basil Mocktail

Easy Orange Basil Mocktail

Try this easy Orange Basil Mocktail recipe—sweet citrus, fresh basil aroma, lemon zing
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 2 glass
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Calories: 110
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

Core Ingredients
  • Fresh orange juice – from 2 large oranges about ¾ cup
  • Fresh basil leaves – 6 to 10 leaves
  • Honey or sugar – 1 to 2 tsp depends on orange sweetness
  • Lemon juice – 1 tsp
  • Soda water OR chilled water – ½ cup
  • Ice cubes – as needed
Optional Add-ons (Choose your mood)
  • Orange zest – ¼ tsp
  • Black salt – a pinch seriously, it’s amazing
  • Ginger juice – ½ tsp
  • Mint leaves – 3 to 4
  • Cinnamon stick – for aroma
  • Crushed ice – for café look

Equipment

  • 1 large glass
  • 2 serving glass
  • Spoon or muddler
  • Knife.
  • Cutting board.
  • Citrus juicer
  • Strainer

Method
 

Step 1: Wash & Prep Basil
  1. Wash basil leaves gently. Basil can hold dust easily.
  2. Pat dry. Don’t skip drying. Wet leaves = dull muddle.
Step 2: Muddle Basil the Right Way
  1. Take a mixing glass.
  2. Add:
  3. basil leaves
  4. sugar or honey
  5. Now muddle gently.
  6. Important note:
  7. You’re not grinding the basil into paste.
  8. You’re waking it up.
  9. You want to release aroma… not bitterness.
  10. You’ll smell it quickly — fresh green fragrance. That’s your sign to stop.
Step 3: Add Fresh Orange Juice
  1. Squeeze fresh orange juice and pour it in.
  2. If seeds fall in, remove them. Pulp is fine. Pulp makes it feel real.
Step 4: Add Lemon Juice
  1. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
  2. This is the “balance button.”
  3. Orange alone can taste too sweet or flat. Lemon gives it brightness.
Step 5: Strain or Keep Rustic (Your Choice)
  1. If you like a clean drink: strain it.
  2. If you like a natural homemade style: keep it.
  3. I personally do both depending on the mood.
Step 6: Add Ice
  1. Fill the serving glass with ice cubes.
Step 7: Pour & Top
  1. Pour orange-basil base over ice.
  2. Top with soda water or chilled water.
  3. Stir gently.
  4. Sip.
  5. Smile.