We don’t keep many drinks in the house for kids. They mostly get water and milk. Occasionally we will have juice or leftover pouch drinks if we’ve had a backyard party recently. Every now and then I like to make a festive drink for them. This one is so fresh and easy, that even my husband and I like to enjoy it with the kids. The mint is what really makes this a winner in my mind. You take something flavorful, but a little one note (ginger ale) and give it some brightness and acid from the freshly squeezed orange juice, lemon juice, and mint. This is summer in a cup for me. Make a big batch next time you have friends over to play in the backyard, and they will go wild for this Sparkling Orange Sunshine Drink.

Sparkling Orange Sunshine Drink

Ingredients

2 ½ cups water, divided

Small clamshell fresh mint (about 8 sprigs)

2 oranges

3 lemons 

2 liters ginger ale

Instructions

1. Zest your oranges and lemons. 
2. Slice your lemons and oranges in half. 
3. Squeeze your oranges and lemons into a medium bowl to get all of the juice out of them.
4. In a large pitcher or large bowl, combine your 2 ½ cups cold water, mint, orange juice, lemon juice, orange zest, and lemon zest.
5. Let your mixture sit in your refrigerator for 30 minutes. 
6. Strain your drink into another bowl or pitcher. 
7. Add ice to cups. Add juice mixture halfway up and then top off with ginger ale. 

Notes: 

• Try this with half orange juice and half grapefruit juice
• Try subbing the ginger ale for sparkling water or club soda
• Substitute your lemon juice for lime juice
• Try out different herbs such as basil or lavender