I’m ready for Spring even if the weather isn’t. (There was about 4” of fresh snow on the ground this morning.) And this is on top of social distancing and self-isolation, so life feels pretty dreary. So even if you have to celebrate alone, here is a Kiwi Lime Mocktail that should help perk your spirits up.
The stars of this sparkling drink are kiwifruit and lime. Both are fruits that are available year-round in the produce section and both happen to be in peak season during the winter months.
What are Kiwis?
Kiwifruit (often just referred to as kiwi) is actually a berry that grows on a vine. It was originally called Chinese gooseberry, but was renamed kiwifruit because it resembles the kiwi bird having a fuzzy brown appearance. The fruit inside is bright green, although there are yellow kiwifruit varieties. And at the center is a circle of edible small dark seeds, similar to the seeds on strawberries.
This smallish superfruit contains twice as much Vitamin C than oranges while only containing 46 calories. It is normally peeled and sliced, although the skin is edible, most people are put off by the fuzz and prefer it peeled. Since heating kiwifruit alters both the flavor and color of the fruit, it is usually enjoyed raw. Each kiwifruit will produce about 1/2 cup sliced or chopped fruit.
This Kiwi Lime Mocktail also uses crushed pineapple to infuse the flavor and texture of the beverage. A standard 8 ounce can of crushed pineapple produces 1 cup of fruit and liquid. That breaks down to 2/3 cup fruit and 1/3 cup liquid. If you are only making half a recipe, you can store the remaining crushed pineapple in a container other than the metal can in the refrigerator for 5-7 days or it freezes beautifully. I recommend freezing crushed pineapple in ice cube trays and once frozen storing the cubes in a zip-close storage bag for smoothies or other recipes.
This is a simple recipe is sure to brighten your day and give you hope that Spring is coming and this pandemic will end.
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Kiwi Lime Mocktail
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: drink
- Method: fresh
Description
A tart and fruity mocktail drink that will remind you that Spring is just around the corner. Kiwi, lime, pineapple, and mint combine to create a Spring green sparkler to delight your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 8–10 limes, juiced (1 cup fresh lime juice, be sure to juice the 2 limes you zested)
- Zest of 2 limes (4 teaspoons)
- 8 ounce can crushed pineapple (both fruit an juice)
- 4 kiwis, peeled and cut in large chunks
- 4 sprigs of fresh mint, just the leaves (about 1/4 cup)
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup ice
- 1 cup cold water
- 2 cups Lemon-lime soda, or to taste
Instructions
- Zest and juice the limes, peel and rough chop the kiwi, remove the leaves from the mint sprigs.
- In a blender, add the crushed pineapple, kiwi, mint leaves, lime zest and juice, sugar and ice and pulse until the ice is broken into small pieces.
- Pour into a large pitcher and water and lemon-lime soda to taste.
- Garnish with sprig of mint and kiwi wedge.
- Relax and enjoy.
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