The Mocktails we are Sipping on This Dry July
BY ROXY ALLNUTT
Our favourite mocktail recipes have been rounded up in honour of Dry July
20 JUL - 2022
Research has also shown that taking a month-long break from alcohol can be good for the liver, your sleep, and the mind.
Our favourite mocktail recipes have been rounded up in honour of Dry July. This fundraising initiative encourages individuals to abstain from alcoholic beverages for the entire month of July in support of people affected by cancer.
It's customary to have a selection of beverages on hand for any social gathering, and we’re here with some alternative options to the usual cocktail fix. For get-togethers, birthday celebrations, and potlucks, making a large batch of tasty mocktails will take care of everything. Even if you're trying to cut back on calories, have less of a hangover the next day, or are just trying to save money, reaching for one of these mocktails will get you there.
First things first - Making your Sugar Syrup.
Sugar syrup is the most common ingredient in mocktails and cocktails. The good news is that it is super easy to make it. Combine equal parts granulated sugar and water in a saucepan over medium to medium-high heat. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Your syrup will keep up to a month when stored in a bottle in the fridge, so I always make extra to use later.
THE CHILLI MARG (Serves 2)
We're kicking things off with the most popular drink in any bar, a Margarita. They're sour, sweet, and tart, and they taste divine. This recipe has a spicy flare to tick all your boxes.
This mocktail is entirely customisable. More sugar? A touch more spice, too sour? Just a few tweaks from your simple ingredients and make it work for you.
INGREDIENTS
Chilli Salt
- 4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp chilli powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne powder
- Lime wedge
Drink
- 8 tbsp of sugar syrup
- 4 tbsp Lime Juice
- 1 tbsp of lemon juice
- 1 tbsp of orange juice
- Lime wedges for garnish
- Four slices of fresh jalapeno with seeds removed
METHOD
1. Pour about one teaspoon of kosher salt on a small plate. Moisten the rim of the glass by rubbing with a lime wedge. Dip the edge of the glass into salt to coat evenly.
2. Pour simple syrup, lime juice, lemon juice and orange juice into a cocktail shaker filled about half full with ice.
3. Add the jalapeno to a shaker and gently muddle (press into the drink with a rolling pin but don't squish)
4. Cover and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
5. Pour into rimmed glass. Garnish with a lime wedge
CUCUMBER COOLER (Serves 4)
Cucumber mocktails are an excellent choice for a light and refreshing picnic cocktail. Cucumbers can be used to make various exciting drinks, whether you buy them at a farmer's market or pick them from your garden. This fresh cooler is best suited to accompany your diligently arranged charcuterie board.
INGREDIENTS
'- 1/4 Lebanese cucumber, chopped, plus extra thinly sliced to serve
- 1/3 cup (80ml) cloudy apple juice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 8 mint leaves, plus different leaves to serve
- 3 tsp sugar syrup
- 600ml soda water
- Crushed ice to serve
METHOD
1. Using the end of a rolling pin, muddle chopped cucumber in a cocktail shaker, add apple and lemon juice, mint leaves and almond syrup, and shake until well combined.
2. Strain into a jug, add soda water and top with ice. Add extra cucumber and mint to serve.
VIRGIN MOJITO (Serves 2)
Virgin mojitos are refreshing non-alcoholic mocktails made with mint, lime juice, a touch of sugar and classic soda water. It’s a light, refreshing, low-calorie bevy that everyone can enjoy.
INGREDIENTS
'- 15 mint leaves
- 1 tbsp ounce fresh lime juice
- ½ tbsp sugar syrup
- Ice
- 4 ounces club soda or sparkling water or ginger ale
- Lime wedge optional for garnish
METHOD
1. Add mint leaves, lime juice, and simple syrup to the glass. Muddle mint leaves gently.
2. Add as much ice as desired, then top with club soda. Stir lightly to combine. Garnish with lime wedges (optional) and enjoy.
ESPRESSO MARTINI (Serves 2)
Coffee? dessert? Have both with this espresso martini. Our version nods to Vietnamese coffee, which is an amazing caffeine heavy coffee made with espresso and condensed milk. A glass of this will definitely wake you up, no matter what time of day you choose to indulge.
INGREDIENTS
'- 30 ml espresso
- ⅛ cup sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ cup skim milk
METHOD
1. Place all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker and shake well. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, a mason jar, or anything with a tight lid will work.
2. Pour into a martini glass and serve.
If you like your mocktail a little sweeter, add another 1/2 – full tsp of condensed milk.
Or you can add some extra coffee if you want a bit of an extra kick missing from the alcohol.
To get the most out of your Espresso Martini Mocktail, try sprinkling cocoa on the rim of your glass first. Every sip is enhanced by the addition of this!
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