Cold, refreshing, and packed with fresh berries and mint, this Very Berry Virgin Mojito is sure to keep you hydrated and cool all summer long!
Summer is here! (Still.. ugh!) I hate summer – really, I do! But, that’s no excuse not to partake in a refreshing and delightful summery drink like this Very Berry Virgin Mojito. Before you get your knickers in a knot, yes, you can most certainly undo the virgin part by adding a good splash of rum!
WANT AN ALCOHOLIC VERSION? JUST ADD A SPLASH OF RUM!
As for me, John.e, and of course, McKenna, we like our drinks to be virgin. John.e and I never consume alcohol. He doesn’t like the taste at all. And, I tend to be very picky with what I like and dislike. No matter the type of alcohol though, I will immediately break out in sweat. I get so overheated on just a sip or two. For those reasons, we tend to make virgin drinks only.
Because I am not very well versed in the amount of alcohol to add to a drink such as this, I had to research it. From what I can tell, most people add just one shot of their favourite rum to one cup of the mix.
Does that sound right to you? It sounds like a lot to me, but then again, I have no experience with it. When it all comes down to it, the amount of alcohol you use is up to you. It’s all about personal tastes after all!
HYDRATION IS IMPORTANT!
I love to sit outside on a hot day with an ice cold beverage. Last year, I was big on the Sweetened Peach Iced Tea, but this year, I think the virgin mojito has won me over. I love the bright, crisp flavour of the bruised mint leaves, and the pop of colour and burst of flavour from the raspberries, strawberries and blueberries.
We’ve been drinking more lemonade and limeade type drinks as well. I think my favourite was the Strawberry Lime Lemonade, but the Old Fashioned Limeade and my Homemade Lemonade were delicious too. I can’t decide!
Summer drinks have to be tasty. They need just the right amount of sweetness. I think that too much sugar in a drink ruins the taste of it and makes one feel bloated and tired. There’s no room for being tired in the summer!
We’ve been enjoying these mojitos so much in fact, that I’ve made it my mission to find a winter version of a virgin mojito so that I don’t have to wait until next summer to enjoy another tall glassful.
DIET VS REGULAR SODA POP
As you can see from the recipe, I used a Sprite Zero as the base for this drink. You most certainly can use regular Sprite, Diet Sprite, or even a 7up or a Limeade. Be sure to use a soda pop base that has lemon/lime flavours and you’re all set!
When it comes to pop, you can take full control. In our home, I’m the only one who likes to drink diet pop. McKenna and John.e only ever drink regular pop. They don’t like the taste of artificial sweeteners.
You can use what you like best. If that means regular Sprite or a no-name knock off version of a lemon-lime soda, then go for it! No one will ever be the wiser, because you’re going to doctor it up with fresh mint and berries anyway!
Very Berry Virgin Mojito
Ingredients
- 1 litre Sprite Zero, or your favourite lemon-lime pop
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced 1/4 inch thick
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup red currants, optional
- 30-35 whole fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish (optional)
- ice cubes
- 4 whole limes, two sliced 1/4 inch slices, the other two quartered
Instructions
- Begin by placing the mint leaves and quartered lime wedges into a tall pitcher.
- Using the handle of a wooden spoon, crush the mint leaves and lime wedges together. Essentially, you're bruising the leaves to extract the minty flavour.
- Add the fruit to the pitcher and about a cup of ice.
- Pour in the Sprite gently stir to combine.
- Pour into glasses. Garnish each glass with mint leaves, more fruit, and add more ice if desired.
Nutrition
Jennifer Meyering says
Yum! This looks like perfect summer refresher! I can’t believe you don’t like summer. How is that possible?!? hahaha I guess growing up in Florida summers makes these Michigan ones seem not so bad.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thanks! And, yes, it’s true. Hate it with an extreme passion. Give me a snowstorm or a blizzard any day of the year and I’m happier than a kid on Christmas morning.
Whitney says
These are seriously so pretty! I could drink these for a few more months down here and it will still feel like summer. (I think I would add that splash of vodka though!) 😉
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Hahaha! You can have your splash of vodka and your prolonged summers. I’m getting myself all excited for winter. And if the Farmers’ Almanac is correct this year, winter is going to be long and snowy. Yay!
Meaghan | Cook. Craft. Love. says
Give me summer and a cold drink any day! Whenever I make a virgin drink I tell myself it’s because I’m trying to be good. Really it’s because I’m out of booze 😉
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Hahaha – only you, Meaghan!