Sitting on the fence between a juice and a mocktail, this Strawberry, Apple and Mint Crush is the perfect breakfast beverage to refresh and revitalize a sleepy soul for the day ahead.
Light and fluffy in texture (reminiscent of a smoothie), this mocktail has a zingy tartness harmoniously balanced with the natural sweetness of the ripe strawberries and apple juice. The crisp, menthol character of the mint partners well with the fresh fruit flavors adding a subtle herbaceousness to the drink.
For a more definitive mocktail feel, replace the soda water with double the volume of ginger ale, ginger beer or lemon soda.
Serves 1
Preparation time: 15 mins
Ingredients
- 4.5 oz. (130 g) strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped (approx. 4-6 strawberries)
- ½ oz. (15 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (approx. ½ a lemon)
- 2 oz. (60 ml) apple juice
- 8 mint leaves
- 1 oz. (30 ml) soda water
- Ice
To garnish:
- 2 strawberries: one cut into pieces, and the other left whole
- Fresh sprig of mint
Equipment
- Blender
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Jigger or measuring spoons
- Citrus juicer
- Cocktail spoon
- Wide-rimmed wine glass
Instructions
- Into a blender, add the hulled strawberries, lemon juice, apple juice, and mint leaves.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pass the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any solids. Reserve the juice.
- Pour the strawberry juice into a wine glass. Top with ice and sparkling water.
- Use a cocktail spoon to gently mix the ingredients together.
- Toss a handful of roughly cut strawberries into the drink. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a whole strawberry on the rim.
Tip: Strawberries can quickly absorb liquid through their skins. To prevent any dilution of flavor, avoid washing the fruit under water. Instead, use a damp paper towel to clean their surface before hulling and blending the strawberries.
Similar Mocktails
If you liked Strawberry Dreaming, check out:
- Tarragon with the Wind: Strawberry Tarragon Lemonade
- Strawberry Fields: Berry and Cucumber Non-Alcoholic Martini
- Tickled Pink: Strawberry Basil Lemonade Recipe
- Berry-licious: Mixed Berry Cooler
Strawberry, Apple and Mint Crush FAQ
Can I use frozen strawberries for this juice?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries if you don’t have fresh ones. However, you will achieve the best results with fresh, ripe strawberries. If you decide to use frozen fruit, make sure to thaw the strawberries before blending them with the rest of the ingredients.
Is it necessary to hull the strawberries before blending?
Yes. You will need to clean and hull (remove the green stems) before blending the strawberries to avoid any unwanted bitterness in the juice.
Can I substitute the apple juice with another fruit juice?
Yes, you can use another fruit juice instead of apple juice. If you don’t want to impact the flavor and texture of the drink too much, you could try substituting the apple juice for pineapple or grape juice instead.
Do I have to use sparkling water, or can I use still water?
Sparkling water adds a refreshing fizz that makes the drink feel more like a mocktail. If you prefer, you can use still water instead. This will give the Strawberry, Apple and Mint Crush a more juice-like character.
How long does it take to blend the ingredients until smooth?
It usually takes a couple of minutes to blend the ingredients to a smooth consistency. However, the blend time may vary depending on the power of your blender.
Can I skip passing the mixture through a sieve?
Passing the mixture through the fine-mesh sieve helps remove any strawberry and mint solids, resulting in a smoother juice and pale pink color. If you don’t mind a slightly textured drink, you can skip this step. It’s important to note that leaving the mint pieces in the mocktail will result in a speckled green drink that will have a more minty and herbaceous taste.
Can I make this mocktail ahead of time and refrigerate it?
It’s best to enjoy the mocktail immediately after making it to preserve its freshness and flavor. If you need to make it ahead of time, follow the recipe up to Step 3. Then, refrigerate the juice in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Bear in mind that the texture and taste of the drink may vary slightly as a result.
Can I adjust the sweetness of the mocktail?
Yes, you can adjust the sweetness of the drink in a variety of ways. If you find the mocktail too tart, you can add a sweetener like honey, agave syrup, or simple syrup while blending the strawberries. If you find the mocktail too sweet, you can add more lemon juice to help balance out the flavors.
Can I use a different type of glass instead of a wine glass?
Absolutely! While a wine glass adds an elegant touch, you can use any glassware that you have to hand: stemmed or unstemmed. A tall glass or mason jar could work equally as well.
Did you make this? Tag me @mightymocktail or use the hashtag #mightymocktail!