The Court-Side Lemon Mint Smash (Crisp Cucumber Mint Mocktail)
This tastes like your fanciest friend's water bottle, if that water bottle had somewhere to be. Cucumber and mint muddled fresh, a squeeze of lemon, and Half & Half Sweet Tea holding it together with just enough sweetness to remind you it's still a treat.
If you're the type who orders cucumber water at brunch and secretly wishes it did more, this is that wish, granted.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Total Time
10 minutes
Serves
1
What You Need
- 4 oz Southern Breeze Half & Half Sweet Tea
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 4 to 5 fresh mint leaves
- 2 to 3 cucumber slices
- Club soda, for the top-off
- 1 cucumber ribbon, for garnish
- 1 lemon wheel, for garnish
How To Make It
- Muddle it. In the bottom of a shaker or glass, muddle the cucumber slices and mint leaves with the lemon juice.
- Shake it up. Add ice and the Half & Half Sweet Tea, then shake or stir thoroughly.
- Strain it. Pour through a strainer into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top and garnish. Add a splash of club soda, then finish with a cucumber ribbon and lemon wheel.
Good For
- Court-side snacking during a tennis match, something crisp instead of just sweet
- A garden party or shower, the cucumber and mint already look the part before anyone tastes it
- An afternoon reset when a regular glass of tea feels too sweet and plain water feels too boring
- A pitcher batch for a crowd who'd rather sip something crisp than another round of lemonade
A Few Tips
- Muddle gently. Bruise the mint enough to release its oils, but pressing too hard turns it bitter.
- No muddler on hand? The back of a wooden spoon in a sturdy glass works just fine.
- Cucumber ribbons are easiest with a vegetable peeler, run it down the side of the cucumber in one long strip.
- Making a pitcher? Muddle a larger batch of cucumber and mint at the bottom, add the tea and lemon juice, then top individual glasses with club soda right before serving.
Questions About This Recipe
Do I need a shaker to make this?
No. A jar with a tight lid works just as well for shaking, or you can skip the shake entirely and just stir it well in the glass after muddling.
Can I make this ahead of time?
The muddled cucumber and mint are best fresh, but you can brew the Half & Half Sweet Tea ahead and keep it chilled, then muddle and build the drink right before serving.
Can I make a pitcher for a group?
Yes, muddle a larger batch of cucumber and mint with the lemon juice at the bottom of a pitcher, add the tea, and top individual glasses with club soda right before serving so it stays fizzy.
Shop This Recipe
Crisp, cool, and gone before the ice melts. Grab the tea and build your own.
GET THE HALF & HALF SWEET TEA