Thai Free
The combination of mint and cilantro adds zesty flavor to this simple non-alcoholic cocktail. To make the cucumber garnish, you can use a peeler or a sharp knife to cut a long, thin piece, then wrap it around the inside of the glass. It adds both visual interest and a flavor boost
Ingredients
2 sprigs fresh mint (leave as a sprig)
4 sprigs fresh cilantro
2 lime rounds
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
1 ounce simple syrup (click here for simple syrups)
Soda water
1 or 2 long, thin slices of cucumber, cut thinly lengthwise with a knife or peeler
1. Place the mint and cilantro in a tall glass. Using a muddler, gently crush or bruise the herbs. (The idea is to release flavor but keep the herb leaves intact so that bits of herb are not floating around the glass.)
2. Add the lime juice and simple syrup to the herbs. Fill the glass nearly to the top with ice. Fill glass to the top with soda water. Mix well so that the herbs are visible. Arrange 1 or 2 slices of cucumber along the sides of the glass.
How to Make Simple Syrups
A simple syrup is an essential ingredient in non-alcoholic drinks like this Vineyard Sunrise and this Pomtini.
Simple syrup: Combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve. Let cool. Add flavors if desired. Store in a mason jar; the syrup will keep for weeks in the fridge.