I successfully made it through dry January! A lot of folks think its silly or weird and at a different time in my life, I probably would have agreed. But for 2019, I started the year off with more intention (which was also my word for 2018) which made for an easy dry January. This isn’t the first time I’d done this so I was more prepared this time. I also started going to the gym (before the year ended) and I think that helped too (healthy mind, healthy body – or something like that). Anyway, now that I’m slowly easing my way back into a drinking, I wanted to share a few of my favorite non-alcoholic cocktails.
There are lots of discussions on what t to call “cocktails” without alcohol. Are they mocktails? I’ve even heard them referred to as “faux-tails”. Today, I’m calling them exactly what they are: non-alcoholic cocktails. But I’ve also been digging the term ‘zero-proof’ cocktails. I wonder what professionals in the food & beverage world think? Is there anyone out there who can tell me?
Folks who don’t drink shouldn’t have to be confined to only drinking water or sweet tea in a restaurant. Non-alcoholic drinks don’t have to be boring! During the first week of dry January, I met friends for happy hour. Lucky for me, we went to a place that I love and they had NO PROBLEM making me a yummy zero-proof (I’m switching it up here) cocktail that looked like I was drinking along with my friends. It was flavorful and went way beyond a boring fruit juice and a ginger ale or something. I really appreciated it.
5 non-alcoholic cocktails to enjoy
If you *must* imbibe, you can easily add your spirit of choice to any of these. Alright, let’s get into it. First up, a new cocktail that I made during dry January:
REFRESH TONIC
I called it this because it is quite refreshing. It’s light in flavor and perfect for just sipping on a leisurely day. You could amp up the flavor a bit more by adding a splash of apple cider vinegar – if you’re feeling adventurous.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 cups water
- Star anise
- 1 knob of ginger (about an inch), sliced
- Cloves
- Black peppercorns
- Cinnamon sticks
- Honey syrup
- Seltzer water
Honey syrup
- Equal parts honey + water
Instructions
- Bring orange juice, water and all the spices to a simmer. Allow it to simmer until it reduces a bit and the flavors have meshed together. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the liquid into a jar.
- Meanwhile make the honey syrup by combining honey and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until honey is dissolved; remove from heat.
To make the tonic
- In a glass with ice, combine orange juice mixture with honey syrup; stir to combine then top with seltzer water.
- Garnish with additional herbs like: star anise, thyme or cinnamon sticks.
JALAPEÑO HONEY PINEAPPLE SPRITZ
This is definitely one of my favorite non-alcoholic cocktails. Don’t let the jalapeño pepper fool you – this is not a spicy drink. You will taste a little pepper flavor, though.
PEAR SHRUB TONIC
Shrubs are awesome drinking vinegars that really pack a punch in the flavor department. Though sometimes shrubs can be overwhelming in flavor, this drink evens out with the addition of sparkling water and lemon.
ROSEMARY CITRUS MOCKTAIL
Do you like grapefruit? If so, this one’s for you. Combine grapefruit juice, rosemary honey and our favorite mocktail ingredient, sparkling water, and you’ve got yourself a drink perfect for poolside sipping.
RASPBERRY SHRUB TONIC
Technically, this recipe is for a cocktail (with gin) but if you simply make the raspberry shrub and instead of adding gin you can stop at the club soda or get extra crazy with the flavor and pour in ginger beer. Either way, I think you’re in for a treat with this one. Not to mention, the color is beautiful!
Cheers!
