Zero Proof Recipe

Prepare juices

Juice limes, lemons and oranges until you have the listed quantities (0.75 cups lime, 0.25 cups lemon, 0.5 cups orange). Strain juices through a fine mesh to remove pulp and seeds.

Muddle mint

In a mixing bowl or cocktail shaker, add the packed mint leaves and the simple syrup. Gently muddle with a muddler or the back of a spoon 10–15 times — press to release oils but do not pulverize the leaves to avoid bitterness.

Combine muddled mint and juices: Pour the strained citrus juices into the muddled mint and simple syrup mixture. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding up to 2 tablespoons more simple syrup if desired.

Brew concentrate

Bring 2 cups of water just to a rolling boil. Remove from heat, add 2 black tea bags, 4 whole cloves, 3 crushed cardamom pods and the sliced ginger. Steep, covered, for 6–8 minutes for a strong concentrate.

Strain and cool: Remove tea bags and strain the tea through a fine mesh to discard spices and ginger. Allow the concentrate to cool to room temperature (about 20–30 minutes) or chill in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes to speed up.

Assemble pitcher (serves 8)

In a 2-quart pitcher, combine the citrus-mint mixture and the cooled spiced tea concentrate. Stir to integrate. Add 4 cups of chilled sparkling water or club soda and gently stir once to preserve carbonation. Taste and add up to 8 dashes of non-alcoholic bitters if using, for added complexity.

Prepare glasses

Fill 8 highball or Collins glasses with about 1/2 cup ice each (or 1/3 cup crushed ice). Add a cucumber ribbon and one thin orange slice to each glass and tuck a mint sprig alongside.

Pour & finish

Pour the mocktail mixture over the ice and garnishes, dividing evenly about 1 cup per serving. If desired, top each glass with an extra splash (1–2 tbsp) of sparkling water for extra fizz. Stir lightly with a straw or bar spoon to mingle garnishes and flavors.

Serve immediately: Provide a small straw and enjoy chilled. Leftover mixture (without ice) will keep covered in the fridge for up to 48 hours; add fresh sparkling water before serving.