For many of us, quitting alcoholic was a new year’s resolution. Deciding to leave alcohol in 2018 doesn't mean that your beverages have to be dull and boring. You can still host your dinner parties and cater to those who have decided to lay off booze. There are many recipes for colourful drinks that have a medley of refreshing flavours. Having mocktail recipes is a great way of ensuring that your guests who don’t drink feel included in the festivities. 

 

Spiced Piña Colada Mocktail

A piña colada is an ideal drink for those with a sweet tooth and a love for all things tropical. It is the perfect blend of coconut, pineapple and rum. The non-alcoholic version still offers the same tropical taste minus the alcohol—you can substitute the rum with a mock rum syrup, which is easy to make.

Here’s what you’ll need to make the piña colada mocktail:

  • 150ml pineapple juice
  • 50ml coconut milk
  • Coconut milk in a glass, with half a coconut
  • 25ml lime juice
  • Ice
  • Cherry (to garnish)

 

You will need the following to make the mock rum syrup:

  • 100g dark brown muscovado sugar
  • 1 pineapple, a few strips of skin, plus leaves to garnish
  • 5 black peppercorns
  • 5 cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick

 

Method of preparation:

To make a mock rum syrup:

  1. Add the dark brown muscovado sugar and 200ml water in a saucepan, stir well and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved.
  2. Add a few strips of skin from the pineapple, add the black peppercorns, cloves and a cinnamon stick, then bring to the boil.
  3. Turn off the heat and leave to infuse until cold.
  4. Strain into a jug and set aside in the fridge until needed.

 

To make the piña colada:

  1. Pour the pineapple juice into a tall glass and add the coconut milk and lime juice—stir gently.
  2. Fill up the glass with a handful of ice then slowly add 25ml of the syrup so it sinks to the bottom.
  3. Garnish with pineapple leaves and a cherry.

 

 

Pear and Rose Punch

Punch is always a fantastic idea because it is a delightful concoction of unexpected flavours. This drink offers a fruity punch to the palate. The combination of yellow and red makes it a fun drink to enjoy, while the rosewater adds a refreshing touch.

Ingredients:

  • 1l pear juice
  • 1 vanilla pod
  • 1 tbsp golden caster sugar
  • 4 cardamom pods
  • Few slices of root ginger
  • 25ml raw apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp rosewater
  • 250ml sparkling water
  • Ice
     

For the garnish, you will need:

  • Rosemary sprigs
  • picked thyme leaves
  • Sliced red pear
  • A handful of frozen redcurrants

 

Method of preparation:

  1. Pour the pear juice into a large pan.
  2. Add the vanilla pod, golden caster sugar, cardamom pods and root ginger, then bring to a simmer.
  3. Leave the mixture to cool completely, then strain into a punch bowl or jug.
  4. Add the raw apple cider vinegar, rosewater and sparkling water.
  5. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, thyme, sliced red pear and a handful of frozen redcurrants.
  6. Add ice and serve.

 

 

The Faux Fizz Mocktail

We all love a bit of fizz now and again, especially when we’re celebrating special occasions—that fizzy feel is not only limited to cold drinks or bubbles. This mocktail is the perfect combination of fizzy, fruity and sweet.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • Sparkling water

For the base syrup

  • 1 sliced pear
  • 4 dried apricots
  • 75g golden caster sugar
  • 25g honey
  • 1 sprig rosemary, plus extra to garnish
  • 1 strip lemon zest

 

Method of preparation:

  1. To make the base syrup, put the sliced pear, dried apricots, golden caster sugar, honey, sprig of rosemary and a strip of lemon zest in a saucepan with 100ml water.
  2. Heat for 10 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved and the pear is very soft, then leave to cool completely.
  3. Strain the syrup into a jug, add the apple cider vinegar and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Pour about 25ml of the syrup into a champagne flute and top with cold sparkling water.
  5. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.

 


 

 

Orange & Cranberry Spritz

A spritz is the perfect summer and spring drink. This particular spritz is refreshing and healthy, and it is quick and easy to make. The elderflower adds a flavour that will forever be emblazoned on your palate’s memory.

 

Ingredients:

  • 500ml smooth orange juice
  • 500ml smooth cranberry juice
  • 400ml sparkling elderflower drink

 

Method of preparation:

Mix together orange juice and cranberry juice in a large jug. Slowly pour in the sparkling elderflower drink, as it will fizz up. Mix together and serve in tall glasses with ice.

 

*All recipes feature here were sourced from BBC Good Food. Click here for more mocktail ideas.

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