Chamomile Citrus Sparkling Mocktail with a Nivitaly Olive Oil Finish
A chamomile citrus sparkling mocktail is a chilled, fizzy drink built on cooled chamomile tea, fresh orange and lemon juice, and a touch of honey, finished with sparkling water for lift. This version adds one more element: a few drops of Mammanu extra virgin olive oil from Sicily, added right at the end to round out the citrus and give the drink a smoother finish. It takes about 10 minutes of active preparation, plus time to cool the tea, and makes one glass.
Why Extra Virgin Olive Oil Works as a Finishing Touch Here
Finishing a drink with a few drops of high quality extra virgin olive oil is a technique borrowed from the kitchen rather than the usual mixology playbook. A well made extra virgin olive oil carries real fruitiness and a rounded texture, and just a small amount added at the end can soften sharp citrus and give the drink a bit more body on the palate, the same way a chef finishes a dish with a drizzle of oil rather than cooking it in.
That only works if the oil itself is good, which is why the choice of oil matters more here than in most recipes.
The Oil Behind This Recipe: Mammanu by Principe Primo
This recipe uses Mammanu, a superior category extra virgin olive oil from Principe Primo, made from the Tonda Iblea olive variety grown close to the sea in Ragusa, Sicily. The olives are hand harvested and cold extracted on the same day, a method that preserves the oil's natural aroma and balance.
On its own, Mammanu shows a fruity, well rounded profile with an intense green tomato aroma and a natural balance between bitterness and spiciness. In this mocktail, that balance is what keeps the oil from tasting out of place next to citrus and honey. It brings fruitiness rather than heaviness.
Nivitaly brings Mammanu into the UAE through its direct partnership with Sicilian producers, and it is one of several oils in Nivitaly's extra virgin olive oil range, available in 250 ml and 500 ml.
Ingredients (Makes 1 Glass)
- Chamomile tea: 1 cup, brewed from 2 chamomile tea bags and cooled
- Fresh orange juice: 60 ml (¼ cup)
- Fresh lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
- Honey or sugar syrup: 1 to 2 teaspoons, adjusted to taste
- Sparkling water or soda: about 100 ml, to top up
- Mammanu extra virgin olive oil: 5 to 6 drops, for finishing, adjusted to taste
- Ice cubes: as needed
- Garnish: orange slices, a little fresh chamomile or mint
How to Make It
- Brew the chamomile tea. Steep 2 chamomile tea bags in 1 cup of hot water for 5 minutes, then remove the bags. Let the tea cool completely, about 15 to 20 minutes in the fridge.
- Mix the base. In a glass or shaker, combine the cooled chamomile tea, fresh orange juice, lemon juice, and honey or syrup. Add the Mammanu extra virgin olive oil and stir well until the honey has fully dissolved.
- Build the glass. Fill a serving glass with ice cubes and pour the mixture over.
- Top up and stir. Add sparkling water or soda to bring in the fizz, then stir gently so it doesn't go flat.
- Garnish and serve. Finish with an orange slice and a little fresh chamomile or mint, and serve right away.
Watch It Being Made
A Few Tips for Getting the Balance Right
- Make sure the chamomile tea is fully cooled before mixing. Warm tea will melt the ice too fast and dilute the drink.
- Adjust honey to taste before adding the sparkling water, since it's harder to sweeten evenly once the fizz is in.
- This works well as a refreshing option for warmer days in the UAE, given the chilled tea base and citrus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this drink ahead of time?
The chamomile tea base can be brewed and cooled in advance, but add the sparkling water, olive oil, and garnish just before serving so the drink stays fresh and fizzy.
What does the olive oil actually add to a mocktail?
A few drops of a fruity, well balanced extra virgin olive oil like Mammanu can round out sharp citrus flavours and add a smoother texture, similar to how a drizzle of oil finishes a dish in cooking.
Where can I buy Mammanu extra virgin olive oil in the UAE?
Mammanu is available through Nivitaly in 250 ml and 500 ml, with delivery across the UAE.
Do I need a specific type of olive oil for this recipe?
A superior quality extra virgin olive oil with a fruity, balanced profile works best. An oil that is flat, bitter, or overly sharp will not blend well into the drink.
If you want to try Mammanu for yourself, you can find it on Nivitaly's extra virgin olive oil page, available for delivery across the UAE.
