Pineapple Mint Cooler

A chilled nonalcoholic drink built by gently muddling mint with lime and honey, then adding pineapple juice and sparkling water over ice. The mint stays aromatic, the pineapple reads clearly, and the drink finishes crisp and fizzy.

By Julienne

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 8 g fresh mint leaves rinsed
• 30 ml lime juice freshly squeezed
• 15 ml honey none
• 240 ml pineapple juice chilled
• 240 g ice crushed or cubed
• 240 ml sparkling water chilled
• 2 g fresh mint leaves rinsed
• 2 each pineapple wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. Add 8 g of the mint leaves, the lime juice, and the honey to the mixing jug. Muddle gently for 10 to 15 seconds, just until the mint smells fragrant and the honey loosens. The mint looks lightly bruised and aromatic, not torn apart.
2. Pour in the pineapple juice and stir to combine. The liquid looks uniform and the honey has dissolved.
3. Divide the ice between the two glasses, then strain or pour the pineapple-mint mixture evenly over the ice. Each glass is cold and about two-thirds full.
4. Top each glass with sparkling water and stir once or twice very gently to keep the drink fizzy. Bubbles remain visible and the drink tastes crisp, not flat.
5. Garnish each glass with 1 g of the remaining mint leaves, and add a pineapple wedge to each glass if using. Serve immediately. The drink is cold, fragrant, and effervescent.