Make sure all ingredients are chilled: the sparkling water should be cold, and the raspberries and herbs should be washed. Check the raspberries and discard any soft or moldy fruits. Rinse the sage and mint under cold water and gently dry them with a paper towel.
Description
A refreshing drink for hot summer days that combines sweet and sour raspberries with a fresh, slightly camphoraceous note of sage — inspired by the simplicity of Greater Polish cuisine, where local herbs and fruits are valued. Perfect as an accompaniment to grilled dishes, a light aperitif on the terrace, or as a drink served during family gatherings. The drink is light, low-calorie (if you skip the sweetening), visually appealing with red raspberry accents and green sage leaves. It can be easily modified: add more lemon for acidity, honey for sweetness, or mint for freshness.
Ingredients Used
Ingredients (7)
- Sparkling water 1200 ml
- Raspberry 200 g
- Sage 15 g
- Lemon 0.6 pcs (~50 g)
- ✨ Optional
- Honey 30 ml
- Ice 300 g
- Mint 15 g
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Preparation steps
Preparation of ingredients
Maceration of raspberries and sage
In a large pitcher (minimum capacity 1.5 l), place 200 g of raspberries and 15 g of sage. Use a muddler or the wooden end of a spoon to gently crush the raspberries together with the sage leaves for 20–30 seconds — the goal is to release the juice and aroma, not to completely mash them into a pulp.
Adding lemon and sweetening
Squeeze the juice from 50 g of lemon (about half a lemon) directly into the pitcher with raspberries and sage. If you want to sweeten the drink, add 30 g of honey now and stir until it dissolves in a little water (about 20–30 ml of warm water can be used if the honey is thick). Taste the drink — the lemon and raspberries should be noticeable, and the sweetness should be gentle.
Herb infusion (short infusion)
Allow the raspberry-sage mixture to rest for 5–10 minutes in the pitcher so that the sage leaves release their aroma. During this time, the raspberry-lemon juice will blend slightly, and the drink will gain a deeper flavor.
Combining with sparkling water
After a short infusion, slowly add 1 200 ml of cold sparkling water to the pitcher, pouring it down the side of the pitcher to reduce excessive frothing and maintain the bubbles. Gently stir with a long spoon for 2–3 turns — the goal is to combine the flavors, not to lose the fizz.
Cooling and Serving
If you are using ice, add about 300 g of cubes just before serving. Pour the drink into glasses through a strainer if you want to get rid of the raspberry seeds. Garnish each glass with a sage leaf or a sprig of mint. Serve immediately to preserve freshness and bubbles.
Adjusting the flavor
Taste the drink and adjust if necessary: add more lemon juice for acidity (10 g = about 1 tablespoon), more honey for sweetness (10 g), or a few extra sage leaves for herbal aroma. Make changes carefully, tasting after each addition.
Fun Fact
In the Wielkopolska region, simple fruit and herb drinks made from local forest and garden fruits have been valued for centuries. The addition of sage is a nod to the tradition of using herbs not only in the kitchen but also in homemade medicinal infusions.
Best for
Tips
Serve very cold in tall glasses with thick bottoms; garnish with a slice of lemon and a leaf of sage or mint. For an "adult" version, you can add 30–40 ml of vodka or gin to the serving.
It is best to drink immediately. The prepared raspberry-sage mixture (without sparkling water) can be stored in the refrigerator for 12 hours in an airtight container. After adding sparkling water, the drink loses its fizz and should be consumed within 2 hours.
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