Whether it’s BBQ weather or the holiday season, who doesn’t want to enjoy a nice cocktail or two? But sometimes you might want to have the beverage and not the buzz. Maybe you’re hosting a party and don’t want guests driving home after a few too many. Or perhaps you’d like to be inclusive and let everyone enjoy the same delightful drinks. That’s where the mocktail comes in.
Did you know…
The term “mocktail” first appeared in 1916, during prohibition when former drinking establishments were working on developing alcohol-free beverages for their customers to enjoy. Can you guess which mocktail was the most popular at the time? It was the Virgin Mary – a vodka-free version of the classic Bloody Mary.
But the Virgin Mary wasn’t the first mocktail to appear in bars. That honour goes to the Shirley Temple. This mocktail was created so child star, Shirley Temple, could feel fancy like her parents and friends when dining out at the more upscale establishments in Hollywood. Still popular today, the Shirley Temple is a mix of ginger ale and grenadine with just a squeeze of lemon or lime and topped with maraschino cherries.1
Why offer mocktails at your party?
There are so many reasons to include mocktails at your next get together. Maybe you’re hosting a party and don’t want guests driving home after a few too many. Or perhaps you’d like to be inclusive and let everyone from young children to elderly guests enjoy the same delightful drinks. Also, without the added empty calories and high sugar content of some alcohol and liquors, you can offer drinks that are a potentially healthier alternative to traditional cocktails.
Cheers!
Here are some delicious mocktails you can enjoy year ‘round.
Guava Mocktail
Guava nectar/juice is always available in the ethnic section of the grocery store and is reasonably priced.Ingredients
- 3 tbspGuava nectar
- 1 tbspLemon juice (lime works too if that’s all you have)
- 4-6Mint leaves
- 1 cupClub soda
Process
- You’ll need a mason jar with a lid (or a cocktail shaker if you’re fancy)
- Reserve 1 mint leaf, muddle the rest in the jar with the back of a wooden spoon or crush them in your palms
- Add the guava, lemon juice and some ice and shake until combined
- Transfer to a glass and top up with the club soda
- Garnish with the reserved mint leaf
If you have leftover guava nectar, freeze it in ice cube trays and use it later to make the same drink but slushy.
The Mint Mule
Kids love it too!Ingredients
- 1 bunchFresh mint
- 4Limes
- 4 bottlesGinger beer (non-alcoholic, good quality like Fever Tree or The Great Gentleman)
- 4 cansPlain soda water
- Ice
- Sugar/simple syrup (optional)
- Muddler/spoon
Process
- Slice the limes into wedges
- Squeeze two lime wedges into bottom of glass, drop them into the glass
- Add 3-4 whole mint leaves and syrup/sugar (if using) to limes and juice and muddle together
- Add ice
- Fill glass with half ginger beer and half soda water
- Sip and enjoy!
Notes
- Leaving the mint and limes in the glass in between glasses improves the flavour
- Alternatively, you can make mint infused simple syrup ahead of time and use that in place of the muddled mint
- You can leave out the sugar/simple syrup depending on your sweetness preference
- The above makes 4 large cocktail glasses, increase your amounts if you’re making more
Cinderella Mocktail
If you like it sweet the Cinderella mocktail won’t disappoint!Ingredients
- 2 tbspFreshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tbspFreshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tbspPineapple juice
- 1/2 tbspGrenadine
- 1/4 cupGinger ale, or club soda
- Pineapple and orange slices, for garnish
Process
Pour the juices and grenadine into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a tall glass with fresh ice. For a party, combine everything except for the ginger ale/club soda in a pitcher and refrigerate until ready to serve. Pour the ginger ale/club soda just before your party starts. When increasing the recipe, maintain the ingredient ratios; keep the three juices equal and use twice as much soda as the amount of one of the juices (2 to 1). Sweeten it to taste by adding more or less grenadine.Notes
- "Making a Mean Mocktail: A Zingerman’s Crash Course," Zingerman's Deli, May 21, 2024, https://www.zingermansdeli.com/2024/05/mocktail/.
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- Health and wellness
- Just for fun!