Saudi Champagne – A Refreshing Middle Eastern Mocktail

SAudi Champage in a jug with glasses around

Saudi Champagne – A Refreshing Middle Eastern Mocktail

Safira

Saudi Champagne – A Refreshing Middle Eastern Mocktail - I remember when I first heard about Saudi Champagne many years ago. I was like..huh? But then I was told a little more and got to taste some too. Naturally, I was hooked. I was reminded about it recently, when I was on a trip to Yorkshire for a family event and they were selling the tinned variety by Kinza. There was a heatwave happening at the time, so we grabbed a few and chugged them down. It was refreshing, delicious, crisp and infused with the subtle flavour and sweetness of apple juice, fresh fruit and mint. And nope, with this drink there’s no alcohol in sight!

No ratings yet

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5

Rest Time 15

Total Time 20

Course Afternoon tea, Dinner

Cuisine Middle Eastern, SAudi Arabia

Servings - 10

Calories 130 kcal

Ingredients

1 Red Apple Thinly Sliced, unpeeled
1 Whole Orange Thinly Sliced, unpeeled
15 Mint Leaves
1 l Apple Juice Boxed, fridge cold
½ Lemon Sliced or add 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice (optional), you can also add Lime
500 ml Sparkling Water Fridge cold
990 ml Lemon & Lime Fizzy Drink or similar (3 tins)
  Ice Cubes

Instructions

Step 1 - Add your fruit
In a large jug or pitcher, combine the sliced apple, orange, and a handful of fresh mint. Add Lemon, if using.
Step 2 - Pour in the liquids
Add chilled apple juice and sparkling water as well as Lemon/Lime fizzy drink. Adjust to taste.
Step 3 - Let it infuse
Give it a stir. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes so the flavours can mingle.
Step 4 - Serve
Pour into glasses over ice (or add the ice to the jug). Garnish with more mint and fruit slices if you like.

Notes

Tips and Tricks

Always use fresh mint leaves - This really lifts the flavour of the drink and makes it refreshing.
Let the Juice sit for at least 10 - 15 minutes - This allows the flavours to mingle.
Taste and adjust - This recipe has few ingredients and some of these are fruits. Often, fruit flavour depends on season so taste the drink and adjust accordingly. E.g. If it isn’t sweet enough add some more of the Lemon/Lime Fizzy Drink.
Play around with juice/drink/water ratios - I played around with these ratios a few times and my preference is to have more of the Lemon/Lime fizzy drink to sparkling Water. You may prefer it the other way around. Give it a go and see what you think. I often skip the sparkling water all together and just use a fizzy lemon/lime drink.
Make Ahead - If you want to make this ahead of time, prep the fruit and add the juice. Keep the fizzy liquids separate until just before serving to maintain the fizz. Keep the juice refrigerated. Add the sparkling water and drink when serving. This will intensify all the flavours. If you want, you can even prepare the apple juice with the fruits overnight to intensify the infusions.
Show it off - I like to use a clear Jug, so that all the fruits can be seen.

Variation ideas

You can substitute Sparkling Water with Soda Water.
Add Lemon and Lime Slices. I do this often or add some Lemon Juice (about ¼ cup).
Add other fruits. You could add other fruits such as Strawberries, Pomegranate or any other fruit that you enjoy.

How to serve

This mocktail is especially lovely during Ramadan for iftar, Eid celebrations, or summer garden parties. Serve in Champagne flutes (be sure to use something to sieve out the fruit), topped with additional Mint Leaves, alongside light bites or desserts such as:

Samosas and Pastries
Date and Nut Platters
Chicken kebabs
Mezze boards

Storage

Saudi Champagne is best consumed immediately, and can be stored in the fridge for up to a day.

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 29mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 98IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Mocktail, Saudi Champagne

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!