Going Dry This January? Here are 6 Mocktails to Get You Started

After a busy festive party season in December, we might all need a bit of a detox. But that doesn't mean tasteless drinks (or having tap water only!) and not having any fun. So if you've chosen to go teetotal this January, or just to have a little less alcohol, here are six excellent mocktails to brighten your month.

Raspberry Peach Lemonade

 

Ingredients: 

Raspberry peach puree: 

  • 4 fresh peaches, pitted, then diced into large chunks

  • 200g fresh raspberries

  • 280ml water

Simple syrup: 

  • 120g granulated sugar

  • 120ml water

Lemonade: 

  • 1.5L cold water

  • 280ml fresh lemon juice (from approximately 4 lemons)

  • ice cubes

  • additional raspberries, for garnish optional

  • additional peach slices, for garnish optional

  • mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Recipe:

  1. Add diced peaches, raspberries and water to a food processor or blender and process until pureed.

  2. Place a sieve over a large mixing bowl and pour peach raspberry puree into the sieve. Use the back of a large spoon to push the puree around so the liquid falls through the sieve and seeds/skin stay inside the sieve.

  3. Discard seeds/skin from the sieve and set mixing bowl with liquid in it aside.

  4. Add granulated sugar and water to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until sugar dissolves into the water, stirring occasionally. Boil for about 3 minutes until liquid has become syrupy. Set aside to cool slightly.

  5. Add 7 cups water, lemon juice and ice cubes to a large pitcher. Stir to combine. Pour in cooled simple syrup and peach raspberry liquid. Stir to combine again.

  6. Store covered in refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve chilled with garnish, if desired.

 

Lavender & Honey Sparkling Lemonade 

 

Ingredients (4-6 servings):

  • 6 lemons

  • 150g creamed honey (regular honey will work too)

  • 1 liter sparkling water

  • 2-3 tablespoons lavender sprigs

Recipe: 

  1. Juice the lemons, and remove any seeds. You should yield about 150ml of lemon juice.

  2. Combine the lemon juice and honey in a high speed blender and blend until honey has fully dissolved and the concentrate is frothy.

  3. Divide the concentrate evenly into 4 glasses, or pour into a pitcher. Sprinkle the lavender sprigs over the concentrate, then fill the glass/pitcher with sparkling water. You can either chill the sparkling water prior to serving or add ice if you prefer.

 

Mock Sangria 

 

Ingredients: 

  • Mixed chopped fruit (i.e. apples, oranges, lemons & strawberries)

  • 120 ml red grape juice

  • 120 ml cranberry juice

  • 120 ml orange juice

  • 360 ml carbonated water

Recipe: 

  1. Add some chopped fruit to a large jug, filling it about 1/3 way.

  2. Pour the juice and soda water on top and gently stir.

  3. Serve straight away and enjoy! It can be kept in the fridge for up to 12 hours.

 

Non-Alcoholic Mojito  

 

Ingredients:

  • 40 ml Soda Water

  • 6 Mint leaves

  • 2 Lime wedges

  • 30ml Apple juice

  • 20ml Lime juice

  • 15ml Elderflower cordial

  • Crushed ice

  • 1 sprig mint

Recipe:

  1. Place 6 mint leaves in the bottom of a tall glass and press down with a muddler to extract the juices and flavour.

  2. Add apple juice, lime juice and elderflower cordial to the glass.

  3. Using a jigger, measure 30ml of apple juice, 20ml lime juice and 15ml elderflower cordial into the glass.

  4. Fill the glass with crushed ice and stir the drink with a bar spoon.

  5. Top up the drink with 40ml Soda Water.

  6. Place a sprig of mint at an angle against the rim of the glass to garnish.

 

Mai Tai Mocktail 

 

Ingredients:

  • Ice

  • 110ml lemon-lime soda

  • 55ml pineapple juice

  • 110ml orange juice

  • 1 Tbsp. grenadine

  • 1 jar maraschino cherries, stemless (to garnish)

  • 1 orange, sliced (to garnish)

  • 2 limes, cut into wedges (to garnish)

  • Toothpicks for cherries (optional)

Recipe:

  1. Fill a beverage glass halfway with ice.

  2. Add lemon-lime soda, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine.

  3. Top with orange slice, lime wedge, and a toothpick skewered with cherries. Serve with a straw.

 

Strawberry Margarita Mocktail 

Source: soberjulie.com

Source: soberjulie.com

 

Ingredients (4 servings):

  • 450g strawberries

  • 110ml orange juice

  • 110ml sparkling water

  • 55ml cup lime juice

  • Ice

  • Coloured sugar

  • Lime for garnish

Recipe:

  1. Place the strawberries, orange juice, sparkling water, lime juice and ice into your blender.

  2. Blend on medium-high until it reaches a slushy consistency, add in ice as necessary.

  3. Take a lime wheel and cut a small slit then wipe it around the rim of the glasses, creating moisture on the inside and outside of 4 glasses.

  4. Pour the coarse sugar onto a plate and roll the glasses in it, collecting the sugar onto the lime juice on the rim.

  5. Pour the Strawberry Margarita into 4 glasses, garnish with a lime wheel and serve!

Quirky Group