It is January and after the festive season with lots of food and drinks, everybody looks at something lighter. Many of you might indeed join the Dry January challenge. Which, in other words, means no alcohol for the entire month!
If that sounds too challenging to you, maybe consider joining National Mocktail Week instead.
Taking place annually every second week in January, National Mocktail Week much like Dry January recognizes a growing trend of wellbeing and healthy living, and thus reducing alcohol levels.
You can, off course, drink mocktails at any time of the year. They are perfect to quench your thirst during hot summer days, when for some reason like having to drive you don’t want to drink alcohol and even for kids’ birthday parties.
In occasion of National Mocktail Week, I have put together five delicious mocktails that are fantastic substitutes for a classic cocktail.
What is a Mocktail
A mocktail, in short, is a cocktail without alcohol.
It includes all the ingredients of a cocktail, such as juices, sirups, creams, herbs, and spices along with tonic, soda, or sparkling water less any alcoholic spirits or wines.
This type of a drink has been significantly risen in popularity over recent years, as it combines the pleasures of sipping a delicious drink but not having to worry about getting drunk.
5 mocktails to make instead of classic cocktails
Coconut Kiss Mocktail
This one is fairly similar to the classic Pina Colada but is put together more quickly as it does not require to process pineapple junks, nor do you have to prepare a simple sirup in advance.
Serves 1:
60 ml orange juice
60 ml pineapple juice
20 ml coconut cream
20 ml whipping cream
coconut flakes
pineapple wedge for garnishing
Cut the pineapple wedge and swipe around the rim of a cocktail glass then roll it in a plat of coconut flakes. Fill the glass with crushed ice.
In a shaker over ice, add the orange juice, pineapple juice, coconut cream and whipping cream. Shake vigorously for a few seconds.
Strain into a glass and garnish with the pineapple wedge.
Tequila Sunrise Mocktail
The classic Tequila Sunrise cocktail was invented in the early 1970s in California, although the drink goes back to an earlier version of the cocktail that was created at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona in the 1930s already.
This drink takes its name from its appearance in the glass, which indeed resembles a sunrise. And the bright colours are indeed, in my humble opinion, a mood lifter. Thus, if you are looking for a drink that cheers you up, less the booze, try this non-alcoholic version.
Serves 1
180 ml orange juice
120 ml peach juice
45 ml lemon soda
45 ml grenadine sirup
In a highball glass over ice add the orange juice, peach juice, lemon soda and grenadine sirup. Make sure to keep this order and do not stir after pouring to achieve the desired classic colouring of the drink.
Garnish with an orange wedge and some maraschino cherries.
Mojito Mocktail
No question, the classic Mojito is a favourite of cocktail lovers and exists in almost unlimited versions. It also works perfectly without alcohol. In fact, it could not be easier made.
Serves 1
7-8 fresh mint leaves
1 teaspoon sugar
1 lime, freshly squeezed
Soda water
Lime wedge and 2-3 fresh mint leaves for garnishing
Muddle the mint leaves and add to a highball glass. Fill a glass halfway with ice cubes. Add lime juice and top up with soda water.
Garnish with a lime wedge and some more fresh mint leaves.
Margarita Mocktail
This mocktail version is a bit more work intense as it requires to prepare both the limeade and simple syrup before mixing up the drink. That said, you can preserve both for a while in your fridge, so you can make a larger portion of both. The simple syrup will come handy for a large number of cocktails or mocktails whilst you can enjoy the limeade on its own as it is a really refreshing lime-flavoured thirst-quencher.
Serves 1:
120 ml limeade (see recipe below)
45 ml orange juice
1 tablespoon simple syrup
60 ml soda water
Coarse salt
Lime wedge for garnish
Coat the rim of a cocktail glass with the coarse salt. Fill the glass with ice halfway.
In a mixing glass, add limeade, orange juice and simple syrup. Stir gently then pour into the cocktail glass. Top off with soda water.
Garnish with a lime wedge.
Limeade recipe
120 ml lime juice, freshly squeezed
½ teaspoon lime zest
60 g sugar
900 ml still water
In a small saucepan, mix 230 ml water with the sugar and lime zest and bring to a boil. Set aside to let cool a bit, then pour through a fine sieve into a pitcher. Add 900 ml still water and stir to fully combine. Put in the fridge for at least 2 hours before using.
Elderberry Fizz Mocktail
Another classic Champagne cocktail stripped off the Champagne. And again it’s worth trying. Alternatively you can make this version using a non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
Serves 1:
60 ml elderberry syrup
1 teaspoon lime juice
120 ml sparkling water
lime wedge for garnishing
In a cocktail glass, pour the elderberry and lime juice then top up with sparkling water.
Garnish with a lime wedge.
Are you participating in Dry January or Mocktail Week? Do you have a favourite Mocktail?
Carrots and Tigers 