Seriously refreshing MOCKTAILS

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Photo Credit: Mette Nielsen

These days, “Let’s meet for a drink,” no longer implies beer, wine, or alcohol. Sometimes, you really need to go out, but you really don’t want alcohol. These grown-up boozeless cocktails, called mocktails, are not too sweet, plenty refreshing, and very sophisticated. They hit the mark!

Mixologists in the hippest bars are shaking up the scene with fresh bright ingredients, sourcing tasty local shrubs and switchels now on the market. Such vinegar based, fruit centered drinks are as far from the Shirley Temple as Minneapolis is from Disney Land. They pack a serious punch. On a cold winter’s night, there are warming concoctions of fine herbal teas spiked with ginger, chilies, and tart lime. Here’s cheers to these spirited drinks. Raise a good glass or two.

 

Fast Berry-Cinnamon Fizz

Makes 1 drink

This is light, spicy and refreshing. Pair with Asian or Mexican flavors.

Ingredients:

2 ounces blueberry lemon shrub*

6 ounces sparkling water

1 cinnamon stick

Directions:

Put the shrub into the glass, slowly add the sparkling water and garnish with the cinnamon stick.

  • You can substitute 1 tablespoon concentrated blueberry or strawberry juice plus 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar for the shrub.

 

 

Meyer Lemon-ginger Splash

Makes 1 drink

Meyer lemons are light and fragrant, not as bitter as most other varieties. Serve this with pork or lamb

Ingredients:

1/3 cup freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice*

2/3 cup good quality ginger beer

Pomegranate seeds for garnish

Directions:

Mix together the lemon juice and ginger beer in a cocktail glass and then add the pomegranate seeds.

  • If Meyer lemons are not available, substitute lemon juice with 1 teaspoon sugar.

 

Switchel Up!

Makes 1 drink

Sometimes called “heymakers” switchels are a vinegar based drink served to farm hands during hay season when it’s hot and dry. They’re terrifically refreshing, great after a hard work out.

Ingredients:

6 ounces switchel*

¼ cup fresh orange juice

Mix together the switchel and orange juice and garnish with a lemon or orange slice.

  • If switchel isn’t available, substitute 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoons grated ginger and 6 ounces water.