Drinks

Faux Fizz: Pear and Apricot Sparkling Mocktail Recipe

ByNoah Steele December 8, 2025December 8, 2025

Introduction

Faux fizz is a delightful non-alcoholic drink that combines fruity sweetness with a refreshing sparkle. Made from a homemade pear and apricot syrup, it’s perfect for celebrations or when you want a festive, bubbly beverage without alcohol.

The image shows three tall drinks on a white marbled surface with a wooden background decorated with star shapes and string lights. The drink on the left is in a curvy glass with three layers: dark brown at the bottom, creamy white in the middle, and frothy white on top, garnished with a green leaf, a dark cherry, and a piece of ice. In the middle, a tall, slim glass holds a light golden drink with bubbles, topped with a sprig of green herbs. The drink on the right is in a large round glass filled with a clear or lightly cloudy drink, with red fruit pieces settled at the bottom, green mint leaves on top, and a dusting of green in the center. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 tsp apple cider vinegar
Sparkling water, to top up

1 sliced pear
4 dried apricots

75g golden caster sugar
25g honey

1 sprig rosemary, plus extra to garnish (optional)
1 strip lemon zest
100ml water

Instructions

Step 1: In a saucepan, combine the sliced pear, dried apricots, golden caster sugar, honey, sprig of rosemary, lemon zest strip, and 100ml water.
Step 2: Heat gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the pear is very soft. Remove from heat and leave to cool completely.
Step 3: Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a jug to create the syrup.

Step 4: Stir in the apple cider vinegar and chill the syrup in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Step 5: To serve, pour about 25ml of the syrup into a champagne flute and top up with cold sparkling water.
Step 6: Garnish with a rosemary sprig if desired and enjoy your refreshing faux fizz.

Tips & Variations

Use ripe, sweet pears for a richer syrup flavor.
Try substituting honey with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
Adjust the apple cider vinegar to your taste for more or less tanginess.

For a citrus twist, add a small slice of orange zest in the syrup mixture.

Storage

Store the syrup in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Stir well before using. The prepared drink is best served fresh; if stored mixed with sparkling water, it will lose fizz quickly.

How to Serve

The image shows three different drinks against a wood-textured background with white star decorations. The left drink is in a curved clear glass with a layered look: dark brown at the bottom, creamy white in the middle, topped with white foam, garnished with a leaf, a cherry and some ice. The middle drink is a tall clear flute glass with a pale yellow liquid and bubbles, filled with ice, and decorated with a small green herb sprig. The right drink is in a large round clear glass with a frosted white color and red bits floating inside, garnished with a green mint sprig and green powder on top. All glasses sit on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh apricots instead of dried?

Fresh apricots can be used, but since they contain more water, reduce the added water slightly to maintain syrup thickness.

Is this drink suitable for children?

Yes, faux fizz contains no alcohol and is a delicious, kid-friendly alternative to sparkling cocktails.