This Mandarin Spritz is a bright, freshly squeezed citrus spritz that works as a cocktail or a mocktail, so everyone at the table gets a glass. It's just fresh mandarin juice, a squeeze of lime, a handful of mint, and sparkling water over ice, with an optional splash of tequila or vodka if you want booze. I first drank these by the bucket on a summer trip in Europe, and they're endlessly refreshing and festive at any time of year. For more easy spritzes and sippers, my Paloma Spritz is the tequila-and-grapefruit move, my Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail is another great booze-optional option, and my roundup of 22 Easy Summer Cocktails has the whole lineup.
Mandarin Spritz at a Glance
- 🕒 Total Time: 5 minutes
- 👪 Servings: 4 (easily scaled to a pitcher)
- 🍝 Cuisine Type: Spritz Cocktail / Mocktail
- 🧂 Flavor Profile: Bright and citrusy with fresh mandarin and lime, cooling mint, and lots of fizz; sweet-tart and refreshing
- 📖 Dietary Info: Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan; a mocktail as written, with an optional splash of tequila or vodka
- 📦 Storage Notes: Best made fresh so the bubbles stay lively; squeeze the mandarin and lime juice up to a day ahead and chill, then add the sparkling water just before serving
- ⭐Why You'll Love It: A freshly squeezed citrus spritz that works as a cocktail or mocktail, so everyone can join in. Five minutes, five ingredients, and endlessly refreshing. The festive, year-round drink that's just as good without the booze.
Summarize and save this content on
Jump to:
Why I love this Recipe
We drank a version of these BY THE BUCKET last time we were over in Europe for the summer. (side note - remember what vacation feels like? I certainly don't!) These freshly squeezed spritz cocktails or mocktails make the perfect refreshing drink. Fresh mandarin juice, a touch of lime juice, sparkling water to get it that fizz, and alcohol if you want. It's festive, works at any time of the year, and is V refreshing!!
Ingredients
- 2 cups freshly squeezed mandarin juice
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- handful of fresh mint leaves
- 1 ½ cups sparkling water or club soda
- ice and mandarin segments for serving
- 4 ounces tequila or vodka (optional)
Substitutions & Swaps
🍊 Citrus
- Fresh mandarin juice (called for) - Sweet and floral; freshly squeezed is everything
- Fresh orange juice - Easy stand-in, a touch less floral
- Clementine or tangerine juice - Same bright, sweet profile
- Blood orange juice - Dramatic color and a little more tart
🍋 Acid
- Fresh lime (called for) - Balances the sweet mandarin
- Lemon - A little softer and rounder
- A splash of grapefruit - For a more bitter, grown-up edge
🥃 Booze (Optional)
- Tequila (called for option) - Bright and earthy with the citrus
- Vodka (called for option) - Clean and neutral, lets the mandarin shine
- Skip it - The mocktail is just as delicious
- Aperol or Lillet - For a low-ABV aperitivo spin
🌿 Bubbles & Herbs
- Sparkling water or club soda (called for) - Keeps it light and crisp
- Prosecco or cava - For a boozy, celebratory version
- Fresh mint (called for) - Cooling and classic
- Basil or rosemary - Basil for a summery twist, rosemary for fall and winter
🍊🫧🌿 Tips & Tricks for the Best Mandarin Spritz
Freshly squeezed, fizzy, and just as good with or without the booze
- Use freshly squeezed mandarin juice. Bottled juice tastes flat; fresh is bright and floral and worth the squeeze.
- Chill everything first. Cold juice and cold sparkling water mean the ice lasts and the drink stays crisp.
- Slap the mint before adding it. Clap the leaves between your palms to release the oils so you actually smell it in the glass.
- Add the bubbles last. Pour the sparkling water in at the end and stir gently to keep the fizz.
- Balance sweet and tart. Taste before serving; add more lime if the mandarin is very sweet, or a little simple syrup if it's tart.
- Make it a pitcher. Combine the juices and mint ahead, then top with bubbles right before serving so every glass is lively.
- Keep the booze optional and on the side. Build the base as a mocktail, then add a splash of tequila or vodka per glass so everyone gets what they want.
- Garnish with mandarin segments. Float a few segments and a sprig of mint for a pretty, fragrant finish.
- Use a big ice cube. It melts slowly and won't water down the drink.
- Strain the pulp if you like it clean. A quick strain gives you a crisper, clearer spritz; leave it in for more texture.
Mandarin Spritz FAQs
What is a mandarin spritz?
A mandarin spritz is a refreshing citrus drink made with freshly squeezed mandarin juice, a little lime, fresh mint, and sparkling water over ice. It can be served as a mocktail or turned into a cocktail with a splash of tequila or vodka. It is bright, fizzy, and works year-round.
How do you make a mandarin spritz a mocktail?
It is a mocktail as written; just leave out the optional tequila or vodka. The fresh mandarin, lime, mint, and sparkling water make it feel festive and special without any alcohol. It is a great non-alcoholic option for pregnancy, dry months, or anyone skipping booze.
What alcohol goes in a mandarin spritz?
A splash of tequila or vodka both work beautifully, since they let the fresh citrus shine. For a low-alcohol aperitivo version, try a little Aperol or Lillet. Add it per glass so you can make cocktails and mocktails from the same batch.
Can I make a mandarin spritz ahead of time?
Yes, squeeze the mandarin and lime juice up to a day in advance and keep it chilled, then combine with mint in a pitcher. Add the sparkling water right before serving so it stays fizzy. This makes it easy to serve a crowd.
What can I use instead of fresh mandarin juice?
Fresh orange, clementine, or tangerine juice all make a great substitute with the same sweet, floral character, and blood orange adds dramatic color and a little more tartness. Freshly squeezed is always best. See the Substitutions section for more swaps.
Mandarin Lime Spritz
Ingredients
- 2 cups freshly squeezed mandarin juice
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- handful of fresh mint leaves
- 1 ½ cups sparkling water or club soda
- ice and mandarin segments for serving
- 4 ounces tequila or vodka (optional)
Instructions
- Gently crush or tear the mint leaves and place in the bottom of each glass. Juice the mandarins and lime juice and pour into the glass, stir to combine. If adding alcohol, add it at this point and stir to combine. Add
- a handful of ice and some segmented mandarins. Fill the glass with the sparkling water and mix gently. Add mint garnish and serve immediately
I don't think mandarins are in season 🙁
I will save the recipe, though. It sounds luscious.
EH
they certainly are!! 'tis the season!
Sage goes really well with mandarin juice too!
Love the delicious citrus!! SO pretty and festive.