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Ingredients
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Base Juice & Puree
Hop & Flavor Elements
Carbonation & Finishing
Method
Base Juice & Puree
Prepare lime puree
If you don't have pre-made lime puree, blanch and peel 6–8 limes, remove pith, then blend the lime flesh with 2 tablespoons of water until very smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to yield about 3/4 cup of smooth lime puree.
Measure 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes) and combine with the 3/4 cup strained lime puree in a bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup simple syrup until fully incorporated and smooth.
Hop & Flavor Elements
If using Motueka hop tincture: measure 1/4 cup of hop tincture or hop-infused syrup. If making hop-infused syrup: combine 1/4 cup sugar with 1/4 cup water and 1 tablespoon Motueka hops, simmer 5 minutes, steep 20 minutes, strain and cool, then use 1/4 cup of this syrup.
Whisk the hop tincture (or hop syrup) into the lime/syrup mixture. Add 2 tablespoons ginger cordial if using, and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt to brighten flavors. Taste and adjust sweetness or lime intensity — add up to 1–2 tablespoons more simple syrup or 1–2 tablespoons more lime juice if needed.
Carbonation & Final Assembly
Fill a 1-quart pitcher or mixing vessel with 4 cups ice. Pour the combined lime + hop mixture over the ice.
Slowly add 3 cups chilled sparkling water, stirring gently once or twice to combine without losing too much fizz. Taste and adjust: for a brighter, more tart beverage add a splash more lime juice; for sweeter, add more simple syrup (up to 2 tablespoons).
Divide beverage into four chilled glasses filled with ice (about 1 cup ice per glass). Garnish each glass with a lime wheel and a sprig of mint if desired.
Serve immediately, with a small spoon alongside for guests who like to stir up any hop sediment. Leftover non-carbonated base (lime + hop mixture) can be refrigerated up to 3 days; add sparkling water just before serving.