Mocktails - The Tasty Alternative
History of Mocktails
Mocktails date back to 1916 when they started to appear in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as well as in the famous Jerry Thomas’s Bar-Tenders Guide. Sometimes referred to as temperance drinks, mocktails became very popular during the times of prohibition. After prohibition ended, the popularity of mocktails dwindled some but were not forgotten. If you have ever had a Shirley Temple or a Roy Rogers, you have had a mocktail. Then in the early 2000’s, the popularity of mocktails rose again and with it, a whole new sophistication. New drink ideas were popping up like bubbles in soda and a whole new era of mocktails was created.
Mocktails For Your Gathering
With holiday parties and holiday gatherings coming up, a special mocktail can make you stand apart. Here are some specialty drinks that are not only delicious but will also leave everyone else wishing they had your mixology skills
Sparkling Pomegranate Punch
Tangy, sparkly, and tart, this drink will engulf your taste buds and leave you & your guests refreshed.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of pomegranate juice
- 2 ½ cups of seltzer water
- Lemon (for taste)
Directions
Combine pomegranate juice and seltzer in a pitcher. Add a few twists of lemon juice as desired for taste. Serve chilled.
Cran-Raspberry Spritzer
Cranberries are in season so why not make a delectable juice out of them that will be the delight of the party?
Ingredients
- 2 cups of seltzer water
- 2 cups of cranberry juice
- 2 tablespoons of lime juice
- A handful of frozen raspberries
- Lime wedges for garnish
Directions
Combine the seltzer water, cranberry juice, and lime juice in a pitcher. Add in the frozen raspberries. Serve chilled with lime wedges
Grapefruit Mock-Mosa
This amazing mocktail delivers all of the great taste of a mimosa without the alcohol and sulfites. Also great at a holiday brunch.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of fresh grapefruit juice
- ¾ cup of fresh orange juice
- ¼ cup of fresh lime juice
- 12 ozs of sparkling water
- 1 tablespoon of honey (sugar free if possible)
- Strips of peels from grapefruits, oranges, and/or limes (optional)
Directions
Combine the grapefruit, orange, and lime juices in a pitcher. Stir in honey and keep stirring until the honey is dissolved. Chill juice in the refrigerator (at least 2 hours). After the juice is chilled and you are ready to serve, add the sparkling water. Serve with the peel strips as desired
Bloody Mary Mocktail
This classic cocktail can easily be made into a holiday mocktail that will leave your guests swearing they had the real thing.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of sodium free tomato juice
- 2 tablespoons of lime or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon of prepared horseradish
- A few drops of your favorite hot sauce
- A glass of ice
- Celery sticks and spicy beans (optional)
Directions
Mix tomato juice, lime/lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce in a glass. Pour mixture over the glass of ice. Serve with celery sticks and/or spicy beans in the drink.
Mock Toddy
Much like the hot toddy, the mock toddy is a great drink to warm you up on those cold winter days as well as soothe the soul.
Ingredients
- 7 ozs of hot black tea
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of honey (sugar free if possible)
- 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of ground clove
- 1 lemon wedge
Directions
In a large mug, add the nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, honey, and lemon juice and combine well. Add the hot tea and again, combine well. Serve with the lemon wedge.
Mocktails For The Holidays
During the holidays, we tend to consume more. More food, more products, and more alcohol. This overconsumption can lead to a very trying January as you try to recover from the holidays. With mocktails, you can have your fun without all of the guilt associated with overconsuming alcohol. It is our hope that you find these recipes delicious as well as fun for your holiday season. From all of us at HealthCARE Express, your local urgent care clinic, we wish you a very happy and safe holidays!
