Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger to the pitcher. Stir in 1 teaspoon honey or agave until fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness or lemon to balance sweetness and tartness.

Chill briefly: Place the combined base in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to let flavors marry. If short on time, proceed with next steps but the drink will be less melded.

Sparkle & Finish

Prepare glasses: Fill four tall or Collins glasses with about 1/4 cup ice each (total 1 cup ice divided among glasses).

Build the drinks: Divide the chilled juice mixture evenly among the four glasses (about 3/4 cup per glass).

Top with bubbles: To each glass, add 1/4 cup chilled sparkling water (or club soda) and 2 tablespoons non-alcoholic sparkling apple cider if using. Gently stir once to combine — avoid vigorous stirring to preserve carbonation.

Garnish and serve: Float 1 thin apple slice and 1 mint sprig in each glass. Add a lemon twist or small wheel on the rim if desired. Serve immediately while fizzy.

Optional: For a single large-format pitcher service, keep the sparkling water and/or cider chilled and add them to the pitcher right before serving, stirring gently, then pour over ice into glasses and garnish.