Sparkling Water Mocktail with Lemon and Bitters

This Sparkling Water Mocktail with Lemon and Bitters is a refreshingly delicious mocktail – complex flavor but easy to make.

I love a good mocktail. And I’m not talking about a Shirley Temple. I’m talking about when that mocktail has complex flavors; not just sweet.

in this post: everything you need for this sparkling water mocktail with lemon

• sparkling water mocktail with lemon ingredients
• how to make this mocktail
• what makes this mocktail “complex”?
• what are bitters?
• equipment needed for this mocktail

sparkling water mocktail with lemon and bitters ingredients

Here are the ingredients you need to make this simple syrup:

• sparkling water (I like using La Croix, but any brand of plain sparkling water will work)
• fresh squeezed lemon juice
• angostura bitters

how to make this mocktail

Grab your ingredients and let’s start whipping up a tasty mocktail!

1. In a highball glass, juice the lemon.
2. Add the sparkling water and bitters.
3. Stir to combine and top off with ice.

what makes this mocktail “complex”?

It’s all about the bitters. Angostura bitters have a spiced herbal taste that is very unique. The addition of bitters (even a very small amount) adds a complexity to a drink that elevates your traditional mocktail.

In addition, make sure you have fresh squeezed lemon. No bottled lemon juice allowed here!

what are bitters?

Bitters are flavor extracts that are made by infusing different botanicals, fruits or herbs into a liquid. Typically, they are infused into an alcohol that is very neutral in flavor; thus, taking on the infused flavor.

Although the base of bitters is alcohol, you only use a few drops. Therefore, the alcohol level is (basically) next to nothing. That’s why bitters are often labeled as non-alcoholic.

equipment needed for this mocktail

• lemon juicer
• highball glasses