Mixed Mocktail

Ingredients

• 2
  
  fresh limes
  
• 
  
  pink Himalayan salt, for rims of glass, if desired
  
• 4-5
  
  clementines (or other tangerines)
  
• 1
  
  square inch piece of fresh aloe clear gel
  
• 1
  
  inch peeled English cucumber, sliced thin
  
• 
  
  diced small piece of jalapeno or poblano pepper, deseeded, optional, to taste (@1/2 inch suggested)
  
• 4-6
  
  ice cubes, crushed
  
• 2
  
  sprigs of lemon verbena
  

Directions

1. Cut 2 lime wheels and save for garnish. If you want salted rims, wet the rims of the glasses with a bent lime slice. Pour the salt in a saucer and dip the glass rims in it until coated to your liking. Set aside.
2. Cut the clear gel out of a fresh aloe leaf by chopping off the sides and then cutting off the top and bottom green sheathing. Rinse with cool water to remove any yellowish secretions. See photo. Place in a blender.
3. Add the cucumber slices to the blender. If you want heat, add some pepper. Juice the clementines directly into the blender. Add the juice of one full lime. Pop in the crushed ice cubes. Process as you would a smoothie for about a minute.
4. Pour into the glasses. Garnish with lime wheels and herbal springs. Thai basil can substitute for lemon verbena.