How to Make Mocktails
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about mocktails? If you’re like a lot of people, you probably imagine sparkling water and juice, or something equally bland. And if this was a decade ago, you’d probably be right.
But the perceptionof mocktails isquickly changing as more people are drinking non alcoholic drinks. Over the past few years, mocktails have cultivated an elegant and sophisticated image. They’re no longer thought of as the alcohol free version of a cocktail. Good mocktails are now looked at as a truly uniqueadult beverage––one carefully crafted by skilled hands using the freshest of ingredients.
Now for the good news. You don’t have to be a professional mixologist to make a delicious mocktail. With the right ingredients on hand, you can make the same premium mocktails you get at high-end restaurants and bars without ever leaving your kitchen. In this post, we’re going to look at how to make mocktails like a pro.
Don’t Cut Corners with Ingredients
When you drink a high-quality mocktail, you don’t want to be reminded that you’re sipping on a non alcoholic drink. That should be the last thing on your mind. You want a drink that excites your taste buds and gives you an experience that you won’t get from an everyday drink. And the only way for you to get that experience is if you’re using top-notch ingredients.
Freshly squeezed fruit juice, special cocktail syrups,dried fruit, and fresh herbs all go a long way in boosting the flavor of your mocktail. When learning how to make mocktails, your goal should be to create drinks with an array of flavors and aromas that complement each other. You don’t want one flavor to overpower the rest.
Sugar and simple syrup will sweeten your drink, but it doesn’t add anything else to the flavor. That’s why many skilled mocktail crafters make their own syrups that sweeten the drink and add other flavors to the drink.
How to make honey-ginger syrup
If you’re making a citrus-flavored mocktail, try adding some honey-ginger syrupto it for an extra zing. Here’s how you can make it.
You will need the following ingredients
- 10 oz. of honey
- Approximately 70-100 grams of chopped ginger (one medium-sized root)
- A quart of orange juice
- Two cups of white sugar (approximately one pound)
Put the ginger and orange juice in a pot, then set the stove temperature to medium-high. Once the orange juice comes to a boil, add the honey. Stir while adding the honey to ensure it mixes with the juice.
Pour in the sugar little by little, and continue to stir. Taste the syrup periodically to see whether it’s sweet enough for your preferences. Some people like to add only a half cup of sugar, while others add all of it.
When you’ve added all the ingredients and you’re happy with the taste, let the syrup cool down. Then pour it through a sieve into a bottle or other container.
Don’t be afraid to go overboard
There’s an art to making mocktails. You aren’t just whipping together a drink––you’re creating an experience. Non alcoholicspiritsare a great way to spruce up your mocktail by adding an extra kick to your drink.
But don’t stop there. Consider what types of garnishments you could use to liven up your mocktail. If you’re going for something sweet, you could garnish with cotton candy or rock candy. If you’re making a fruity drink, try turning frozen fruit into ice cubes.
Don’t shy away from herbs and spices, either. Experiment around with ingredients like:
- Dried lemongrass
- Cloves
- Cinnamon sticks
- Fennel seeds
- Dried lavender
- Cayenne powder
These are just a few ingredients that you can use to liven up the flavor of your mocktail.
Now there’s only one thing left to do. You have to make a mocktail of your own.
You learned the basics for making mocktails––good ingredients and an adventurous mindset.
Now there’s only one thing left to do. You have to make a mocktail of your own. If you don’t know where to start, below is a list of our favorite recipes.
1. Citrus Honey Lime Mint Mocktail
Looking for a zesty drink to liven up your day?Great for when you crave mimosas or mojitos, the Citrus Honey Lime Mint Mocktail delivers a blast of citrus flavor accented by the cool taste of mint.
2. The Virgin Mary
If you’re in the mood for a savory cocktail, try The Virgin Mary. It’s an alcohol free take on the classic Bloody Mary. If you want to really simulate the alcohol effect of a Bloody Mary, give it some bite by adding horseradish, wasabi, or muddled ginger.
3.Huckleberry Shrub
The Huckleberry Shrub is a sparkling drink that offers a perfect blend of sweet and sour. It has a taste that’s distinct, but not overpowering, and is ideal for any occasion.
4. Grapefruit Citrus Sparkling Mocktail
The ideal mocktail for grapefruit lovers, this drink offers a sophisticated adult taste with a dash of sweetness. It can also be easily modified to suit your preferences. If you want to lean more on the sweeter side, mix it with a lemon-lime soda. If you want a dry flavor, use club soda or lemon/lime flavored sparkling water
5. Sparkling Ginger Citrusade
Citrus fans, you must try this drink. The Sparkling Ginger Citrusade mixes ginger with five types of juice:
- Blood orange
- Grapefruit
- Lemon
- Lime
- Orange
Mix it with sparkling water, add a dash of honey syrup and––voilà––you’ve just created one of the best fruity mocktails you’ll ever try.
Like most mocktails, the secret to making a good Sparkling Ginger Citrusade is the ingredients. For best results, you should use a juicer to make freshly-squeezed juice from all five types of fruit.
You just need fresh ingredients and a willingness to experiment with new tastes.
There you have it––five great-tasting mocktails that are delicious and easy to make.
As you can see, there isn’t a big secret to learning how to make mocktails. You just need fresh ingredients and a willingness to experiment with new tastes. And chances are, you already have most of the ingredients at home.
