Spicy Citrus Refresher

A vibrant and zesty beverage combining fresh lime and orange juices with a spicy kick from jalapeños. This refreshing drink is sweetened with a citrus-infused simple syrup and topped with club soda for a sparkling finish.

8 servings
1 hr 22 min

Ingredients

  • 4 whole limes
  • 7 whole navel oranges
  • 2 whole jalapeños
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 cup club soda

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Juice limes and 6 oranges into a large pitcher. (You should have about 3/4 cup lime juice and 11/4 cups orange juice.) Discard lime rinds and half of the orange rinds. Cut remaining orange rinds into quarters and place in a large saucepan.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Coarsely chop 1 jalapeño and add to orange rinds along with sugar and salt. Using a muddler or dowel-style rolling pin, muddle rinds until thoroughly smooshed and much of the sugar and salt is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1 cup warm water and let sit at least 10 minutes and up to 1 hour.

    60 min

  3. 3.

    Strain orange mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into pitcher with juice, gently pressing with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids. Thinly slice remaining orange and add to pitcher. Remove seeds from remaining jalapeño; thinly slice into rounds and add to pitcher.

    10 min

  4. 4.

    To serve, pour 2 oz. juice mixture into an ice-filled glass. Top off with club soda; stir to combine.

    2 min

  5. 5.

    Do Ahead: Juice mixture can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.