Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)
Quick Ingredients
- 3 medium ripe kiwis, peeled (about 270 g)
- 12 fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lime juice
- 1–2 tbsp (15–30 ml) simple syrup or liquid honey, to taste
- 2 cups (480 ml) very cold sparkling water
- 1½ cups (about 180 g) ice cubes
- Lime slices or kiwi slices, for garnish (optional)
Do This
- 1. Chill the sparkling water and serving glasses for at least 15 minutes if possible.
- 2. Peel the kiwis and roughly chop them; add to a blender with mint leaves, lime juice, and 1 tbsp sweetener.
- 3. Blend on high until completely smooth, 20–30 seconds.
- 4. Taste and add more sweetener or lime juice if needed; blend briefly to combine.
- 5. Fill 2 glasses halfway with ice; divide the kiwi-mint purée evenly between the glasses.
- 6. Slowly top each glass with chilled sparkling water, stirring gently to combine without losing too much fizz.
- 7. Garnish with mint sprigs and kiwi or lime slices; serve immediately while icy-cold and bubbly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright, tangy, and lightly sweet, with a punch of fresh kiwi flavor and cooling mint.
- No cooking required and ready in about 10 minutes from start to finish.
- Easily adjustable: make it less sweet, more citrusy, or even turn it into a cocktail.
- Looks impressively vibrant and fancy, but uses simple, everyday ingredients.
Grocery List
- Produce: Kiwis, fresh mint, limes (for juice and optional garnish)
- Dairy: None
- Pantry: Sparkling water, simple syrup or honey, ice
Full Ingredients
For the Kiwi-Mint Purée
- 3 medium ripe kiwis, peeled and roughly chopped (about 270 g flesh)
- 12 fresh mint leaves (about 1 small handful), stems removed
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lime juice (about 1 medium lime)
- 1–2 tbsp (15–30 ml) simple syrup or liquid honey, to taste
For Assembling the Spritzer
- 2 cups (480 ml) very cold sparkling water or club soda
- 1½ cups (about 180 g) ice cubes
Optional Garnishes
- 2–4 fresh mint sprigs
- 4–6 thin slices kiwi or lime
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Chill your glasses and sparkling water
For the most refreshing spritzer, start by chilling your sparkling water in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or in the freezer for 10–15 minutes (do not forget it there). If you have time, place your serving glasses in the fridge or freezer for 10–15 minutes as well. Very cold glasses and sparkling water help keep the drink fizzy and refreshing for longer without needing tons of ice.
Step 2: Prep the kiwi and mint
Peel the kiwis using a paring knife or by slicing off both ends and running a spoon under the skin. Roughly chop the peeled kiwis into chunks so they are easier to blend. Rinse the mint leaves under cool water and gently pat them dry with a clean towel. Remove any thick stems so you are mostly using the tender leaves, which taste fresh and are less bitter.
Step 3: Blend the kiwi-mint purée
Add the chopped kiwi, fresh mint leaves, 2 tbsp (30 ml) lime juice, and 1 tbsp (15 ml) of your chosen sweetener to a blender. Blend on high speed until the mixture is very smooth and vividly green, about 20–30 seconds. Depending on your blender, you may need to stop once to scrape down the sides so no mint leaves or kiwi chunks are left unblended.
Taste the purée. If it is too tart, add another 1 tsp (5 ml) sweetener at a time and blend briefly to incorporate. If you want more brightness, add an extra 1–2 tsp (5–10 ml) lime juice and blend again.
Step 4: Strain (optional) for a smoother sip
If you prefer a smoother, more refined texture without kiwi seeds and mint bits, pour the purée through a fine-mesh strainer set over a bowl or measuring jug. Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to press the liquid through, leaving the seeds and coarse solids behind. You should end up with about 1 to 1¼ cups (240–300 ml) of bright green kiwi-mint juice.
If you do not mind a rustic texture, you can skip straining and keep all the fiber and visual speckles of mint and kiwi seeds.
Step 5: Fill the glasses with ice and purée
Fill two chilled glasses about halfway with ice cubes (roughly ¾ cup or 90 g ice per glass). Divide the kiwi-mint purée evenly between the glasses, pouring it directly over the ice. For a layered look, pour slowly down the inside of each glass so the purée settles at the bottom and the sparkling water will sit on top before you stir.
Step 6: Top with sparkling water and gently stir
Slowly pour 1 cup (240 ml) chilled sparkling water into each glass, aiming to preserve as many bubbles as possible. Using a long spoon or a straw, give each drink a gentle stir from the bottom up to combine the purée and sparkling water without knocking out all the fizz. The drink should turn a soft, cloudy, bright green with visible bubbles rising to the surface.
Step 7: Garnish and serve immediately
Finish each spritzer with a small mint sprig and a slice of kiwi or lime on the rim or tucked inside the glass. Serve at once while it is icy-cold and actively sparkling. If the drink sits and loses some fizz, you can revive it with a quick splash of extra sparkling water just before serving.
Pro Tips
- Choose ripe kiwis: Look for kiwis that give slightly when gently pressed. Hard kiwis will be less sweet and less flavorful; very soft ones may taste mushy.
- Do not overdo the mint: Mint is strong. If you are unsure, start with 8 leaves, taste, and add more as needed so it does not overpower the kiwi.
- Sweeten to your sparkling water: Unflavored club soda tastes slightly salty and may need a touch more sweetener than neutral sparkling mineral water.
- Use crushed ice for extra chill: Crushed or small ice cubes chill the drink faster and give a frosty, café-style feel.
- Batch the purée, fizz to order: Make a larger batch of the kiwi-mint purée and store it in the fridge, then mix individual spritzers with fresh sparkling water so they stay bubbly.
Variations
- Kiwi-Mint Limeade Spritzer: Replace half of the sparkling water with chilled still water and increase the lime juice to 3 tbsp (45 ml). Sweeten slightly more to balance the extra citrus.
- Boozy Kiwi-Mint Fizz: Add 1–1½ oz (30–45 ml) chilled vodka, white rum, or gin to each glass before adding the sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish as directed.
- Tropical Twist: Replace ½ cup (120 ml) of the sparkling water with chilled pineapple juice or coconut water for a softer, tropical flavor and a slightly richer mouthfeel.
Storage & Make-Ahead
For best fizz, assemble the full spritzer just before serving. However, you can prepare the kiwi-mint purée up to 24 hours in advance:
Blend the purée as directed, then transfer it to an airtight jar or bottle and refrigerate. Stir or shake before using, as it may separate slightly. Do not mix in the sparkling water until you are ready to serve, or the drink will go flat. Once assembled with sparkling water and ice, enjoy the spritzer within 15–20 minutes for the best texture and bubbles.
Nutrition (per serving)
Approximate values per serving (1 of 2 spritzers), assuming 1½ tbsp (22 ml) simple syrup total:
Calories: ~70 kcal; Carbohydrates: ~18 g; Sugars: ~16 g; Fiber: ~2 g; Protein: ~1 g; Fat: 0 g; Sodium: ~10 mg. Values will vary based on the exact sweetener and sparkling water used.
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