There’s nothing quite like that first sip of something ice-cold after spending a Saturday afternoon in the garden. I started making this cooler last summer when my neighbor brought over a huge bag of fresh mint from her yard. The combination of zingy ginger, bright lemon, and cool mint became my go-to for lazy weekend afternoons. Now I keep a pitcher in the fridge all week long — it disappears faster than I can make it!
Ingredients
- 2 large lemons, juiced (about ⅓ cup)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
- 15 fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
- 2 tablespoons raw honey
- 4 cups cold filtered water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Muddle the mint: In the bottom of a large pitcher, gently muddle the mint leaves with honey to release their oils.
- Add ginger and lemon: Stir in the freshly grated ginger and lemon juice until the honey dissolves.
- Pour in water: Add the cold filtered water and stir well to combine everything.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Serve: Pour over ice into glasses and garnish with fresh mint sprigs and lemon slices.
Tips
- For a fizzy version, swap half the water for sparkling water — add it right before serving.
- Adjust honey to taste depending on how tart your lemons are.
- This keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days — the flavor actually gets better overnight.
- Freeze leftover cooler in ice cube trays so your drink never gets watered down.
