When my husband and I got married, we wanted to offer a full mocktail bar for our wedding guests. I love using oxymels for mocktails: the traditional syrup made from an acid and a sweetener (usually vinegar and honey) lends a complex flavor that up-levels any drink. They are also a yummy way to serve herbs to friends and family.
I was already making mocktails out of vinegar-based oxymels, but I wanted our mocktail bar to include options that tasted drier and less vinegary. I decided to experiment with citrus juices as the acid, and the results were delicious! Lemon and lime juice quickly became my favorite ingredient for summer mocktails.
Lemon-Mint Oxymel Recipe
Makes about 16 oz.
Ingredients:
Directions:
- Add spearmint and lemongrass to a sterilized pint-sized (16 oz.) jar.
- Fill jar half way with lemon juice.
- Fill the rest of the way with honey.
- Use a chopstick or other utensil to poke and stir the herbs so they are fully mixed with the liquid.
- Cap the jar.
- Leave on your counter for 3 days, shaking daily. You’ll notice that the honey will sink to the bottom at first; shake the jar frequent to keep mixing the ingredients up.
- After 3 days, strain through a stainless steel funnel lined with a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
- Compost the herbs.
- Bottle the oxymel in a sterilized jar. Label the container with the ingredients and date.
- Store in the fridge. Shelf life is 6 months.
Notes:
- Honey can be substituted with agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or sugar.
- Use a nonreactive lid for the jar, or place wax paper or plastic wrap between the jar and the metal lid. The acidity of the lemon juice will corrode the metal.
- If you’d like to use fresh herbs instead of dried, fill the jar in a “loose pack” (don’t compress the herbs) with equal parts fresh spearmint and fresh lemongrass, chopped roughly.
- Lemon and lime juice are less shelf-stable than vinegar. If you want to infuse this oxymel for more than 3 days, put it in the fridge. And be sure to store it in the fridge after you strain it.
Lemon-Mint Mocktail Recipe
Makes one 12-oz mocktail.
Ingredients:
- Ice
- lemon-mint oxymel (recipe above)
- lemongrass tea
- Club Soda, seltzer, or sparkling water
- Fresh mint and lemon wedge for garnish, if desired
Directions:
- Prepare a small amount of lemongrass tea by infusing 1 tsp. of dried lemongrass with 2 oz. hot water.
- Fill jar 1/3 full with crushed or cubed ice.
- Pour in 4 Tbsp. of oxymel.
- Pour in 2 Tbsp. of lemongrass tea.
- Top off glass with club soda or other sparkling water.
- Stir gently.
- Garnish with fresh mint and a lemon wedge.
- Sip and enjoy!
Pro Tips:
- Add more oxymel if desired.
- Replace the club soda with tonic water for a drier flavor.
Want to learn more from Amanda Crooke?
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