Clementine Ginger Fizz

Name: Sparkling Clementine and Ginger Fizz
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 drinks
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 1/2 cup filtered water; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons peeled fresh ginger, finely grated or very thinly sliced, about 18 grams; 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1 cup freshly squeezed clementine juice, from about 8 to 10 clementines, strained if desired; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 3 cups plain sparkling water, chilled to 38°F to 40°F; 2 cups ice cubes; 1 clementine, thinly sliced into rounds or half-moons, for garnish; 4 small fresh mint sprigs, optional, for garnish; 4 thin peeled ginger coins, optional, for garnish

Imperial June 25, 2026June 25, 2026

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

Yield: 4 drinks
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Quick Ingredients

1/2 cup filtered water
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons peeled fresh ginger, finely grated or thinly sliced
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup freshly squeezed clementine juice, from about 8 to 10 clementines
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 cups very cold plain sparkling water, chilled to 38°F to 40°F
2 cups ice cubes
1 clementine, thinly sliced, for garnish
4 small fresh mint sprigs, optional

Do This

1. Combine the water, sugar, ginger, and salt in a small saucepan.
2. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat.
3. Steep for 10 minutes, strain, and chill the syrup for 5 minutes in an ice bath.
4. Stir the cooled ginger syrup with the clementine juice and lemon juice.
5. Fill 4 glasses with ice and divide the clementine-ginger base among them.
6. Top each glass with 3/4 cup chilled sparkling water and stir gently.
7. Garnish with clementine slices and mint, then serve immediately.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bright and refreshing: Sweet clementine juice brings sunny citrus flavor without being too sharp.
Fresh ginger kick: A quick ginger syrup adds gentle warmth and a lively finish.
Easy to make ahead: The citrus-ginger base can be prepared in advance, then topped with sparkling water right before serving.
Great for any occasion: Serve it at brunch, holiday gatherings, afternoon snacks, or as a cheerful nonalcoholic party drink.

Grocery List

Produce: 9 to 11 clementines, 1 large piece fresh ginger, 1 lemon, fresh mint sprigs
Dairy: None
Pantry: Granulated sugar, fine sea salt, plain sparkling water, ice cubes

Full Ingredients

Ginger Syrup

1/2 cup filtered water
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons peeled fresh ginger, finely grated or very thinly sliced, about 18 grams
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

Clementine Citrus Base

1 cup freshly squeezed clementine juice, from about 8 to 10 clementines, strained if desired
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

To Finish

3 cups plain sparkling water, chilled to 38°F to 40°F
2 cups ice cubes
1 clementine, thinly sliced into rounds or half-moons, for garnish
4 small fresh mint sprigs, optional, for garnish
4 thin peeled ginger coins, optional, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Chill the sparkling water and prep the citrus

Place the sparkling water in the refrigerator until very cold, ideally 38°F to 40°F. Cold sparkling water keeps the drink crisp and helps preserve the bubbles. Wash the clementines and lemon well. Set aside 1 clementine for garnish, then halve the remaining clementines for juicing.

Step 2: Make the ginger syrup

In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup filtered water, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt. Set the pan over medium heat and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, until the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, about 200°F to 205°F, then simmer for 5 minutes. The syrup should smell warmly gingery and look clear.

Step 3: Steep, strain, and cool the syrup

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the ginger steep for 10 minutes. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof measuring cup, pressing lightly on the ginger to capture the flavor without forcing too many fibrous bits through. To cool quickly, place the measuring cup in a bowl of ice water for 5 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the syrup is no warmer than 45°F.

Step 4: Juice the clementines

Juice the clementines until you have exactly 1 cup of clementine juice. Depending on the size and juiciness of your fruit, this usually takes 8 to 10 clementines. If you prefer a smoother drink, strain the juice through a fine-mesh sieve. If you like a little texture, leave the fine pulp in for a fuller citrus flavor.

Step 5: Mix the clementine-ginger base

In a pitcher or large measuring cup, stir together the cooled ginger syrup, 1 cup fresh clementine juice, and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Taste the base. It should be sweet, tangy, and gingery because the sparkling water will soften the flavor once added.

Step 6: Build the drinks

Fill 4 glasses with 1/2 cup ice cubes each. Divide the clementine-ginger base evenly among the glasses, using about 1/2 cup base per glass. Top each glass with 3/4 cup very cold sparkling water. Pour the sparkling water slowly down the side of the glass to help keep the fizz lively.

Step 7: Garnish and serve

Stir each drink gently 1 to 2 times, just enough to combine without flattening the bubbles. Garnish each glass with a clementine slice, a mint sprig if using, and a thin ginger coin if you would like an extra hint of spice. Serve immediately while the drink is cold, bubbly, and bright.

Pro Tips

Use very cold sparkling water: Warm sparkling water loses its bubbles faster, so chill it to 38°F to 40°F before mixing.
Add the bubbles last: Mix the citrus base first, then top with sparkling water right before serving for the freshest fizz.
Adjust ginger strength easily: For a milder drink, steep the ginger for 5 minutes. For a spicier drink, steep it for 15 minutes.
Choose heavy clementines: Fruit that feels heavy for its size usually has more juice and sweeter flavor.
Do not boil the clementine juice: Keeping the juice fresh preserves its bright, sweet, floral citrus taste.

Variations

Clementine Ginger Lime Fizz: Replace the lemon juice with 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice for a sharper, more tropical finish.
Herbal Citrus Fizz: Add 4 lightly crushed basil leaves or rosemary tips to the ginger syrup during the final 5 minutes of steeping, then strain them out.
Party Pitcher Version: Combine the full batch of clementine-ginger base in a pitcher with 3 cups chilled sparkling water just before serving, then pour over ice-filled glasses.

Storage & Make-Ahead

The clementine-ginger base can be made up to 4 days ahead and stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator at 40°F or below. Shake or stir before using, as fresh juice may settle. The ginger syrup alone can be refrigerated for up to 1 week. Do not add sparkling water until just before serving, because the drink will lose its fizz as it sits. If you have leftover finished fizz, refrigerate it for up to 24 hours, but expect it to be much less bubbly.

Nutrition (per serving)