When you hear the word muddled, you probably think of mojitos. That’s because muddling is what gives mojitos the minty and citrusy zing we love. However, did you know that muddling is also a fabulous way to make cool, refreshing nonalcoholic drinks? If you’re looking for a healthy swap for sodas, and you want a drink with plenty of sparkle and pizzazz, muddling is a great way to go. Today, I’ll tell you how to do it—and then I’ll share my ten top muddled drink recipes.

How to muddle a drink

Muddling simply means to gently crush fruit and herbs to release their fragrant oils and infuse their flavors into a drink. You can buy a muddler (which is basically just a wooden stick with a rounded end), but you don’t need one. A wooden spoon will work every bit as well. Here’s how to muddle like an expert:

• Choose a sturdy glass like a pint glass, a metal shaker, or any thick-walled glass. You don’t want to accidentally chip a thin-walled glass.
• Place the fruit and herbs (use fresh herbs, not dried) into the glass.
• Hold the glass with one hand, and with your other hand, press down on the leaves and fruit with a wooden spoon or muddler and give a few gentle twists. You’ll see juice squirting out from the fruit and smell the fresh aroma of the herbs. Don’t over-muddle the herbs, because they’ll make your drink taste bitter if you do. Four to five gentle twists will do the trick.
• Add ice and water or sparkling water and enjoy!

While it’s traditional to leave the fruit and herbs in your drink, you can strain them out if you like. If you opt for straining, muddle the herbs and fruit and add water (skip the ice). Then pour everything through a fine mesh strainer into a glass filled with ice.

My top ten muddled drinks

I’m a huge fan of muddled drinks, so I’ve experimented with lots of different ingredient combinations. These are my all-time favorites, and I hope you’ll love them, too. You can adjust the amounts of herbs and fruit to suit your taste.

1. Muddle 8 or 9 mint leaves and ½ lime cut into 4 pieces. (Cutting the lime makes it easier to extract the juice.) Add ice and top off with water or sparkling water.
2. Muddle 6 or 7 large basil leaves and 4 to 5 strawberries, with stems removed and cut in half. Add ice and top off with water or sparkling water.
3. Muddle 8 or 9 mint leaves, ½ lime cut into 4 pieces, and about 12 blueberries. Add ice and top off with water or sparkling water.
4. Muddle 8 or 9 mint leaves, ½ lemon cut into 4 pieces, and a 3-inch segment of cucumber, peeled, deseeded, and cut into small pieces. Add ice and top off with water or sparkling water.
5. Muddle 10 to 12 cilantro leaves, ½ lime cut into 4 pieces, and about ¼ cup pineapple cut into small pieces. Add ice and top off with water or sparkling water.
6. Remove the leaves from a 3- or 4-inch thyme sprig. Muddle thyme leaves with a 3-inch segment of cucumber, peeled, deseeded, and cut into small pieces, and ½ lemon cut into 4 pieces. Add ice and top off with water or sparkling water.
7. Muddle 8 or 9 mint leaves, about 8 to 10 blackberries, and ½ lime cut into 4 pieces. Add ice and top off with water or sparkling water.
8. Muddle 5 or 6 thin slices of fresh ginger and ½ lemon cut into 4 pieces. Add ice and top off with water or sparkling water.
9. Muddle 6 or 7 large basil leaves with about ¼ cup mango, cut into small pieces. Add ice and top off with water or sparkling water.
10. Remove the flowers from 2 sprigs of fresh lavender. Muddle the lavender with ½ lemon cut into 4 pieces. Add ice and top off with water or sparkling water.

In addition to trying my favorites, have fun inventing your own muddled drink creations. It’s quick and easy, and it’s a great way to break the soda habit.

Keep thinking Big and living BOLD!

P.S.—If you come up with an awesome concoction, be sure to share it with us on my Facebook page!