The 5 Best Mocktails
How To: Make the 5 Best Mocktails You Can Whip Up at Home
We’ve spent a lot of time at home so far this year. Maybe you’ve started to enjoy those nights a little more than expected. We’re excited to get back out to our favorite bars and cocktail joints again, but in case you find yourself in need of an at-home DIY fix, here’s a few of our favorite mocktail recipes. The best part? They can be enjoyed any time of day, any day of the week.
1. Lemon, Lime, and Bitters
Looking for a quick, simple option with ingredients you probably already have at home? Try sparkling water, bitters, lemon, and lime. Our pro-tip is to tip a few drops of bitters into the glass first and roll them around to coat the bottom. Then add ice, a squash of fresh lemon, and lime juice. Top all of it with seltzer and enjoy. Though this drink sounds modest, we think you might enjoy it so much that it becomes your next go-to drink — even when you get a night out.
2. Virgin Mary
Fan of the infamous morning cocktail, but taking the alcohol-free plunge? Or maybe your kids want to try the dark red “hangover cure”? The Virgin Mary is nothing more than a non-alcoholic Bloody Mary. So if you’re a Bloody Mary connoisseur, whip up your own recipe — just skip the vodka.
For those who have never made this classic cocktail, here’s a simple recipe: combine 3 ounces of tomato juice, 1/2 ounce lemon juice, a dash Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, ground pepper, and 2 dashes of your favorite hot sauce. Play around with the Worcestershire, celery salt, pepper, and hot sauce depending on your spice tolerance — or find other spices in the pantry to add your own flare. Whether you love or hate the mocktail, there’s no denying the health benefits or the energy boost that can come from DIY’ing this one on a Sunday afternoon.
3. New York Egg Cream
Looking for something sweet instead? This one takes it way back to old-time soda fountains. There’s much history and debate about the origin of this mocktail, but many sources settle on New York. It’s still a favorite in the city, where you can find it at local establishments.
This drink is fun and easy — with no compromise on taste. In the 19th century, it was made with eggs and cream, but the recipe has been modified since then. Now it takes nothing more than milk, chocolate syrup, and seltzer. Mix your “chocolate milk,” and add the fizzy seltzer for an after dinner drink that will impress your guests.
4. Hot Not Toddy
Though we’re well into summer now, there are plenty of rainy days ahead when enjoying a steamy beverage inside is exactly what we need. This DIY mocktail will even help if you’re feeling under the weather or need some relief from seasonal allergies. What’s the recipe for the perfect mocktail to enjoy on a chilly autumn day? The Hot Not Toddy.
It’s a mix of hot, brewed tea with lemon juice and warming spices. Get your mug of tea and add honey, lemon juice, and spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to taste (around ½ a teaspoon each). You could garnish the drink with a lemon wedge or stir it with a cinnamon stick to add extra flair to your cozy night in.
5. Lilac Lemonade
Our last mocktail is the perfect late summer treat. This easy lilac simple syrup is the perfect way to use up any wilting lilac stems — and add a sense of summer to any mocktail you make.
Start by rinsing the flowers to remove any dirt or critters living in the blossoms. Then remove all the blossoms from the leaves and stems. While preparing your flowers, bring to boil a traditional simple syrup mixture: equal parts sugar and water. Reduce to a simmer and add the lilac. The mixture will turn brown as the flowers infuse with the simple syrup, so if the lilac color appeals to you, add a drop of food coloring or even a few blueberries to the mixture. It will store in the fridge for up to a month! Add as the sugar-component to a glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade for the summer mocktail of your dreams.
By Lizz Dawson
