If you’ve been doing ‘Dry January’ and have actually stuck to it, then firstly, pat yourself on the back. Secondly, scream and shout because it’s nearly over (ish)! To make things a bit easier, we’ve rounded up the ten best mocktail recipes we could find.
The key to a mocktail’s success is down to intrigue; you can’t shove an average cordial in a glass, top it with soda, and garnish it with a slice of lemon, expecting to be wowed. Sure, we don’t need booze all the time, and there are plenty of top-notch soft drinks around to tantalise the taste buds, but cocktails work due to the balance of alcohol, sugar, acidity and bitterness - you’re not likely to get that with just an elderflower spritz, are you?
If you’re feeling like you’re missing out on all those lovely alcoholic delights that you keep seeing on Instagram, it’s time to get serious about mocktails. Fresh fruit, citrus and herbs are your heroes here, you want to be building your drink as you would a proper cocktail, and don’t be afraid to make your own syrups; they’re easy to do and will keep in the fridge for ages.
Just put in a teeny bit of effort before being able to smugly sip on something extra special... Your drunken pals will certainly be eyeing up your saintly glass!
We’ll start with something deliciously fruity and classically British: strawberries.
- This floral fresh Strawberry Rose Water Fizz from Kitchenette Blog is simple but effective. And if you love it, when it gets to February, try topping with prosecco instead of soda water.
- The Pink Panther from Nosh My Way is smooth, creamy and kind of retro. Strawberries and cream will always be a winning combo, but add pineapple into the equation and hello.
Another British classic - though a slightly more sultry - fruit, with its deep purple colour, is the blackberry.
- The Dark Invader from The Washington Post is so easy you could do it with a blindfold, though I wouldn’t recommend it; blackberry stains are pretty tricky to get out.
Next we have some zingy mocktails...
- Move over Mojitos, this Sparkling Cucumber Limeade from Taste and Tell Blog is limey, minty and super thirst quenching thanks to the cucumber. Can it be summer now?
- Sharp and sweet with raspberries, honey and lemon, the Spicy Raspberry Lemon Cooler from HGTV has fire in its belly due to its ginger beer top!
Herbs are where it’s at with these next three.
- Nutmeg Nanny’s Grapefruit Rosemary Sage Spritzer is both bitter and aromatic, great for the usual gin drinkers amongst you.
- The Fennel Apple Spritzer from Saveur is a pretty swish, and the punchy flavours would go down well with food... Especially a bit of roast pork – yes please!
- And this Peach Melba Cooler from Chow has to be the prettiest pink drink around. Don’t worry though guys, the lemon thyme twigs make it a bit more manly. Sort of.
Finally, the indulgent creamy mocktails for any time that you require some comfort.
- Lavender Hot Chocolate from A La Mode is a fragrant hug in a mug. You can buy lavender in the supermarkets now (with all the herbs and spices), but don’t over-do it or you’ll be in soap territory.
- Sweep Tight have come up with the awesome Coquito, with coconut milk, evaporated milk and condensed milk. Anything made with that dreamy milk is going to be frickin’ ace. FACT.
Now go and have some booze-free fun.
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