I whipped up a Strawberry Dirty Sprite that pairs fresh strawberries with lemon-lime soda using just a few ingredients, and I’m adding it to my Cool Non Alcoholic Drink Recipes.

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I love mixing up a Strawberry Dirty Sprite when the sun’s cooking and guests wander in. It’s this fizzy, unexpected combo of fresh strawberries and chilled lemon-lime soda that somehow tastes both playful and grown-up, and you’ll wanna serve it at the same time as other Summer Alcoholic Beverages or tuck it into your Brunch Recipes Drinks lineup.

The color alone stops people mid-conversation, and they always ask what magic I did. I promise it takes minutes, no fancy gear needed, and you’ll be surprised how a few simple steps turn bubble and berry into something kinda unforgettable.

Ingredients

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Strawberries: bright, juicy berries, good fiber and vitamin C, add natural sweetness and color.
Simple syrup or sugar: pure carbs, makes drink sweet, use sparingly if youre watching calories.
Lime juice: tart, zesty boost of vitamin C, cuts sweetness and lifts the flavors.
Lemon-lime soda: fizzy, sweet and carbonated, adds sparkle but brings extra sugar.
Ice: chills and dilutes, softens sweetness as it melts, keeps it refreshingly cold.
mint sprigs: aromatic, small calorie lift, give a fresh herb scent and pretty look.

Ingredient Quantities

6–8 fresh strawberries (about 1/2 cup), hulled n’ roughly chopped

1 tablespoon simple syrup or 1 to 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime)

8 to 12 fl oz lemon-lime soda (Sprite or 7-Up), chilled

1 cup ice cubes or crushed ice

Extra sliced strawberries for garnish (optional)

Lime wedges for garnish (optional)

Fresh mint sprigs for garnish (optional)

How to Make this

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1. Hull and roughly chop 6 to 8 strawberries, put them in a sturdy glass or small bowl.

2. Add 1 tablespoon simple syrup or 1 to 2 teaspoons granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, then muddle until the berries break down and get juicy, but dont turn it to mush.

3. If you used granulated sugar, let the mixture sit 2 to 3 minutes so the sugar can melt into the berries, or warm it a sec with your palms if you want it faster.

4. Optional: press the muddled berries through a fine sieve into another container to remove seeds and make the drink smoother, or skip this if you like bits of fruit.

5. Fill a tall serving glass with about 1 cup of ice cubes or crushed ice; for less dilution, use frozen strawberries as ice cubes.

6. Spoon the strawberry mixture over the ice, getting as much of that syrupy goodness in as you can.

7. Slowly pour 8 to 12 fl oz of chilled lemon lime soda (Sprite or 7 Up) over the ice and berries, start with less if you want it less fizzy or stronger.

8. Gently stir once or twice to combine, being careful not to kill all the bubbles. Taste and add a little more simple syrup or lime juice if needed.

9. Garnish with extra sliced strawberries, a lime wedge and a sprig of fresh mint; slap the mint between your hands first to wake up the aroma.

10. Serve right away while fizzy, and if making for a crowd, keep soda chilled and only assemble glasses when guests arrive so it stays bubbly.

Equipment Needed

1. Cutting board and paring knife, to hull and roughly chop the strawberries
2. Sturdy glass or small bowl for muddling the berries
3. Muddler or sturdy wooden spoon to mash the fruit, dont turn it to mush
4. Measuring spoons (tbsp and tsp) for syrup and lime juice
5. Small citrus reamer or juicer for that fresh lime juice
6. Fine mesh sieve (optional) to press out seeds if you want a smoother drink
7. Tall serving glass and a spoon to spoon the berry mixture over ice
8. Measuring cup or jigger for the 8 to 12 fl oz soda, plus ice tongs or scoop

FAQ

Q: Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh? A: Yeah, that'll work. Let them thaw and drain a bit so they dont water down the drink, then muddle or blend like you would fresh berries.

Q: How sweet should I make it and can I change the sugar level? A: Start with the 1 tablespoon simple syrup or 1 tsp sugar, taste, then add more if you want it sweeter. Remember the soda adds sweetness too so go slow.

Q: Can I swap the lemon-lime soda for something else? A: Sure, use club soda plus extra lime if you want less sweet, or try ginger ale or tonic for a different twist. Just chill the soda and add it last so it stays fizzy.

Q: Want it boozy – what alcohol works best? A: Vodka or white rum are great, about 1 to 1.5 oz per serving. Tequila or a splash of triple sec also pairs well. Mix responsibly and taste as you go.

Q: How do I make a pitcher for a crowd? A: Multiply the berries, syrup and lime, muddle in a pitcher, chill, then pour in the chilled soda right before serving. Keep ice separate so it doesnt dilute everything too fast.

Q: Can I save leftovers and how long will they keep? A: Make the strawberry mixture ahead and store it in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. Dont mix with soda until you serve, the fizz wont last and the drink will get flat.

Strawberry Dirty Sprite Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Frozen strawberries (instead of fresh strawberries): about 1/2 cup frozen, let them thaw a bit then mash — they give more juice and chill the drink so you can skip extra ice.
Honey or agave (instead of simple syrup or granulated sugar): use 1 tsp honey or agave, stir into the mashed berries or warm slightly so it dissolves, taste and add more if needed.
Fresh lemon juice or bottled lime concentrate (instead of fresh lime juice): about 1 tbsp lemon juice or 1/2 tbsp lime concentrate, use what you got and adjust to taste.
Sparkling water plus a splash of citrus, or ginger ale (instead of lemon-lime soda): use chilled club or sparkling water with a squeeze of lime and a little sugar to sweeten, or swap in ginger ale for a warmer, spicier sweetness.

Pro Tips

– Freeze a few strawberries or make strawberry ice cubes so your drink stays cold without getting watered down. Toss frozen berries right into the glass for chill and extra flavor, and they double as garnish as they melt.

– Muddle with a gentle press-and-twist motion; stop when most berries are broken but you still have some texture. If you want a silky drink, press the mash through a fine sieve, but if you like bits then skip the straining.

– Make a small berry-lime concentrate ahead by mashing the strawberries with the sugar and lime and letting it sit 10 to 15 minutes to macerate. Keep the soda chilled and only combine right before serving so it stays fizzy — great for serving a crowd.

– Taste and tweak: if it’s too sweet add a little more lime or a tiny pinch of salt to brighten the flavor, and slap the mint between your hands just before garnishing to boost the aroma.

Strawberry Dirty Sprite Recipe

Recipe by Nikoli Athen

0.0 from 0 votes

I whipped up a Strawberry Dirty Sprite that pairs fresh strawberries with lemon-lime soda using just a few ingredients, and I’m adding it to my Cool Non Alcoholic Drink Recipes.

Servings

servings

Calories

203

kcal

Equipment: 1. Cutting board and paring knife, to hull and roughly chop the strawberries
2. Sturdy glass or small bowl for muddling the berries
3. Muddler or sturdy wooden spoon to mash the fruit, dont turn it to mush
4. Measuring spoons (tbsp and tsp) for syrup and lime juice
5. Small citrus reamer or juicer for that fresh lime juice
6. Fine mesh sieve (optional) to press out seeds if you want a smoother drink
7. Tall serving glass and a spoon to spoon the berry mixture over ice
8. Measuring cup or jigger for the 8 to 12 fl oz soda, plus ice tongs or scoop

Ingredients

6–8 fresh strawberries (about 1/2 cup), hulled n' roughly chopped
1 tablespoon simple syrup or 1 to 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime)
8 to 12 fl oz lemon-lime soda (Sprite or 7-Up), chilled
1 cup ice cubes or crushed ice
Extra sliced strawberries for garnish (optional)
Lime wedges for garnish (optional)
Fresh mint sprigs for garnish (optional)

Directions

Hull and roughly chop 6 to 8 strawberries, put them in a sturdy glass or small bowl.
Add 1 tablespoon simple syrup or 1 to 2 teaspoons granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, then muddle until the berries break down and get juicy, but dont turn it to mush.
If you used granulated sugar, let the mixture sit 2 to 3 minutes so the sugar can melt into the berries, or warm it a sec with your palms if you want it faster.
Optional: press the muddled berries through a fine sieve into another container to remove seeds and make the drink smoother, or skip this if you like bits of fruit.
Fill a tall serving glass with about 1 cup of ice cubes or crushed ice; for less dilution, use frozen strawberries as ice cubes.
Spoon the strawberry mixture over the ice, getting as much of that syrupy goodness in as you can.
Slowly pour 8 to 12 fl oz of chilled lemon lime soda (Sprite or 7 Up) over the ice and berries, start with less if you want it less fizzy or stronger.
Gently stir once or twice to combine, being careful not to kill all the bubbles. Taste and add a little more simple syrup or lime juice if needed.
Garnish with extra sliced strawberries, a lime wedge and a sprig of fresh mint; slap the mint between your hands first to wake up the aroma.
Serve right away while fizzy, and if making for a crowd, keep soda chilled and only assemble glasses when guests arrive so it stays bubbly.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.