Whether you're trying to cut back on your alcohol intake or you don't drink period, you deserve better than a diet coke as a treat. It's 2023, we're done with sacrificing flavour and complexity in our mocktails! Here are three spring mocktail recipes to try out:
The Grapefruit Lady 🍊
2oz grapefruit juice
0.5 lemon juice
.75oz rosemary syrup (rosemary, sugar, water)
Soda, to fill
1 rosemary sprig, for garnish
1 grapefruit slice, for garnish
To make the rosemary syrup, combine 1 cup of sugar with one cup of water in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 sprigs of rosemary and simmer until syrup thickens, about 20 minutes. Cool and strain.
In a wine glass, add grapefruit juice, lemon juice, and rosemary syrup. Fill with ice and top with soda. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and a slice of grapefruit.
Strawberry basil smash 🍓
2 strawberries, chunked
2-4 basil leaves
0.5oz lemon juice
Ginger beer, to fill
Combine strawberries, basil, and lemon juice in a glass. Muddle gently to express the basil oils and macerate the strawberries. Fill with ice and top with soda, stirring as you go to ensure all components are combined.
Cucumber gimlet 🥒
1oz lime juice
10 cucumber chunks
4 dashes cucumber bitters
0.75oz rosemary syrup
0.5oz water
1 cucumber ribbon, to garnish
Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin and muddle. Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously until the tin becomes cold. Strain into a stemmed glass of your choice and garnish with a cucumber ribbon.
Moderation is key, and you deserve a less shiddy way to reduce your consumption. Happy bartending!
Remember to be less shiddy to others, our planet, and yourself.