Non alcoholic drinks like mocktails are easy to prepare using the following tips and recipes. The grown-up version of Shirley Temple drinks, mocktails are the new, must-serve beverage at holiday events and celebrations.
Simple Sparkling Water for Mocktails
Splurge a little and buy upscale sparkling water for designated drivers and non-drinkers. Beer drinkers who are used to holding a bottle in their hand will appreciate individual bottles while larger bottles are perfect for mixing. Display both sizes of sparkling water in ice buckets alongside regular bar supplies.
Fruity Non-alcoholic Cocktails
Provide designated drivers with a tantalizing selection of tropical fruit juices, like pineapple, guava and passion fruit. Orange juice is a classic mocktail mixer, while apricot and pear nectars are sweetly satisfying.
Cranberry juice adds the required shot of holiday colour and is a perfect compliment to apple juice or cider. Present the juices in labelled pitchers or their original packaging. Thoughtful hosts can offer mocktail recipe suggestions, like cranberry, orange juice and gingerale; orange juice, peach juice and sparkling water, or raspberry and pineapple juice.
Savoury Mocktails
Virgin Mary and Virgin Caesar are tasty non-alcoholic drinks that are easy to prepare – just omit the vodka from tomato juice or tomato clam juice. Extra spices, like seasoned salt and hot pepper sauce will help compensate for the lack of alcohol.
Garnishes for Mocktails and Non-alcoholic Cocktails
Sliced lemons and limes are always on the cocktail garnish list. Change up holiday mocktail recipes with fresh fruit skewers of easy-to-prepare strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. Fruit like pineapples and melons will require slicing and dicing but will add an exotic flair. Slip a few fresh cranberries onto a wooden or plastic toothpick and pop them into the freezer. The end result will be festive and help keep the mocktail cooler. Fresh fruit can also be frozen in individual ice cubes for extra chill power.
- Thin slices of celery, carrot and cucumber perform double duty as mocktail swizzle sticks and hors d’oeuvres.
- Candy canes and cinnamon sticks add flavour and style to hot mocktails like mulled cranberry juice and apple cider or juice.
Non-alcoholic Beer & Low Alcohol Wine
Though these may seem like alternatives to mocktails, some drinkers complain about the flavour of such beverages. Also, total abstinence may be necessary, depending on drinking and driving limits. People consuming low alcoholic drinks may be misled and inadvertently consume too much. It is better to offer non-alcoholic party drinks so guests are absolutely certain of zero alcohol consumption and don't have to worry about drinking and driving limits or facing a breathalyser test.
Mocktails and Responsible Party Hosts
Non-drinkers and designated drivers will appreciate the extra concern conscientious hosts demonstrate by serving a tasty and fun selection of non-alcoholic cocktails, or mocktails. Even regular drinkers may appreciate the variety of juices and garnishes and take a break from wine or beer. With increased awareness of the perils of drinking and driving, many cocktail books, food magazines and online sites now provide unique recipes for non-alcoholic drinks.
For holiday toasting, a mock kir royale can be made by pouring gingerale and blackberry juice into a champagne flute
Heather Zorzini - Heather Zorzini's stories, essays and photographs have appeared in the Globe and Mail, National Post, Toronto's NOW Magazine and ...
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