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The Sun-Soaked Sunset Spritz — A Caffeine-Free Mocktail Recipe

The Sun-Soaked Sunset Spritz — A Caffeine-Free Mocktail Recipe

by Allie Ullo in Blog

There's a specific kind of evening I'm always chasing — the one where the light goes gold, the day finally exhales, and you want something in your hand that feels a little bit special without derailing your sleep. That's exactly the gap Sun Soaked tea was built to fill, and it's also exactly why it became the base of my new favorite mocktail: the Sun-Soaked Sunset Spritz.

This one came together almost by accident — I was cold-brewing a batch of Sun Soaked for myself on a slow Sunday, added a splash of sparkling water out of habit, and ended up with something that tasted like it belonged in a bar or resturant. So I kept tweaking it until it felt worth sharing.

Why Sun Soaked Works So Well Here

Sun Soaked is one of our brightest, most citrus-forward blends — naturally caffeine-free, which means this mocktail genuinely works any time of day, including the golden hour after work, but before bed. A few of the things it brings to the glass beyond flavor:

  • No caffeine crash (because there is very little caffeine in it). You get the ritual of a "fancy drink in hand" without anything that'll keep you up all night.
  • Naturally hydrating. Herbal infusions are mostly water — so unlike a glass of wine, this one is actively working for your evening wind-down, not against it.
  • A gentler way to mark the transition from "on" to "off." Having something to sip slowly, with intention, is its own small ritual — and that ritual matters more than the drink itself.

The Recipe

Yields: 1 generous glass (easily doubled or batched for guests)

Ingredients:

  • 1 Leaves of Leisure Sun Soaked tea bag 
  • 1 cup hot water (for brewing) + ice (you can also cold brew in advance if you prefer)
  • 1 oz fresh-squeezed orange juice
  • ½ oz fresh lemon juice
  • ½ oz simple syrup or honey syrup (adjust to taste)
  • Sparkling water, to top
  • Garnish: orange wheel, a few mint leaves, edible flowers if you're feeling fancy

Instructions:

  1. Brew the Sun Soaked tea bag in hot water for 5–7 minutes — slightly stronger than you'd normally brew it, since this is going over ice. Let it cool down.
  2. In a separate glass filled with ice, combine the orange juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Stir.
  3. Pour the cooled Sun Soaked tea over the citrus mixture.
  4. Top with sparkling water and give it one gentle stir (you want to keep the bubbles).
  5. Garnish with an orange wheel and mint. 

Make it a mocktail "menu": Swap the orange juice for grapefruit for something a little more bittersweet, or muddle a few raspberries into the glass before building the drink for a deeper color and flavor.

Make It a Cocktail

Want to dress this one up for a dinner party or a slow Friday night? The Sunset Spritz takes beautifully to a splash of something stronger — here are two easy ways to do it:

  • The elevated route — Lillet: Add ¾ oz of Lillet Blanc in place of some of the simple syrup. Its light floral bitterness plays beautifully against Sun Soaked's citrus brightness, turning the drink into something that feels like it belongs on a café aperitivo menu.
  • The celebratory route — Prosecco: Build the citrus and tea base as written, but top with chilled prosecco instead of sparkling water for a bubblier, toast-with-friends version. This is the one to make for a gathering.

Either way, the bones of the drink stay the same — bright Sun Soaked tea, fresh citrus, and something effervescent on top. That's what makes it so easy to adapt to whoever you're pouring for.

A Note on "Mocktail Culture"

I'll be honest — I used to think of non-alcoholic drinks as the consolation prize at the end of the bar menu. What changed my mind was realizing that a good mocktail isn't about replacing anything. It's about giving yourself something to look forward to that actually adds to how you feel the next morning, instead of taking from it.

If you make this one, I'd love to see it — tag us or send a photo. And if Sun Soaked becomes your new golden-hour ritual, you're in good company. 🍃

Shop the blend: [Sun Soaked — Leaves of Leisure]

Tags: caffeine-free mocktail recipe recipes sun soaked tea lifestyle
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