Mocktails!
There is nothing more refreshing than a beverage that tastes delicious and provides health benefits! The concept of Dry January is nearly over for those who use this month to kick start a year of health. We all have the best intentions as the year starts to fulfill our expectations and goals for the year to come. Let me help with my three delicious, spiritless mocktails: Mockmosas, a Virgin Bloody Mary, and Margarita. They offer health benefits and deliciousness to help to maintain your Dry January throughout the year.
Non-alcoholic Options
In addition to these two recipes, there are so many choices offering non-alcoholic alternatives. Most bars, restaurants and “package stores” (as we called liquor stores) offer many non-alcohol alternative beers and cocktail ingredients.
Not only are they non-alcoholic, but they are lower in calories depending on the fruit juice and ingredients you use to create your mocktails. Generally, they are 100 calories or less. Additionally, mocktails don’t create chemical dependence, are very hydrating, and will not interrupt your sleep. Dr. B’s last blog addresses Dry January A must read!
May all your intentions become realized this coming year.🤞🤞😊
To Healthy Cooking and Eating,
Melissa
Mockmosas or Virgin Bloody Mary … For brunch or anytime!
Ingredients
Mockmosas
- 2-4 cups Orange juice 50% fresh, cold OJ; alternatives are cranberry juice (to create a poinsettia cocktail), grapefruit juice (for a megmosa), or other juices!
- 1 bottle Non-alcoholic champagne Here are two spiritless champagne brands: Sutter Home Fre Brut or Chateau De Fleur – both delicious. Alternatives include sparkling 100% juice or club soda or seltzer (2 12-oz cans)
- splash Grenadine Optional
- Fresh citrus fruit Strawberries, cherries, sprig of mint, and/or orange slices. Add as you wish.
Virgin Bloody Mary
- 1 32 oz Tomato juice Or Bloody Mary mix to make it easy
- 8 oz Vodka, non-alcoholic OR leave out altogether! Here are two examples of spiritless vodka brands to try – RITUAL ZERO PROOF and STRYKK.
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce If vegan, use vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 medium Cucumber and/or lime Slice, peel and seed the cucumber. Slice the lime.
- Green olives
- 1 tsp Fresh ground pepper
- 1/2 tsp Hot sauce
Instructions
- Mockmosas—using cold OJ and non-alcoholic champagne, start with 50/50 of each and adjust to taste. Enjoy in champagne flutes!
- Virgin Bloody Mary—mix all ingredients together, adjust to taste, and enjoy!
Notes
Margaritas (Virgin or Alcoholic)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Lime juice
- 1/2 cup Lemon juice
- 1/4 cup Superfine sugar Or more to taste
- Crushed ice
- 8 oz Club soda
- 4 Lime wedges Optional, or use lemon wedges
- 1 Tbsp Kosher salt Optional
Instructions
- Simply combine the lime juice, lemon juice, and sugar (or sugar substitute) in a small pitcher, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
- For a Margaritaville-style frozen drink, blend the lime juice, lemon juice, club soda, and sugar with four cups of ice in a high-powered blender. Blend until the mixture is nice and slushy.
For a Fancy Margarita Experience
- Prepare a salted glass with the below three steps. Optional, but it makes the glasses look fancy!
- Swipe a lime wedge around the rim of the glass.
- Pour coarse salt onto a small plate then dip the edge of the glass into the salt, rolling it around until the rim of the glass is coated.
- Pour the lemon-lime mixture into your salted-rim glasses and enjoy!