Mocktail beverages and January go hand in hand. If you are participating in the Dry January challenge, then this blog post is for you. Dry January began in the UK in 2013. The goal is to skip alcoholic beverages for all 31 days of the month. The holidays certainly encouraged us to eat, drink and be merry. Mocktails can be a fun way to socialize in the new year without the negative effects of alcohol. And they can be delicious too!
The top of the year gets us all thinking about a restart. There are some who are leaning into a plant-based diet by participating in Veganuary. Cleaning up finances is also on the list. Finding a new love before Valentine’s Day is a focus. And yes, some people have decided not to consume alcohol for 31 days. So it’s all about the mocktail!
What Exactly Are Mocktails?
Mocktails are drinks that mimic cocktails without actual alcohol. So they are “mocking” the real thing. The flavors are blended to create tasty and refreshing options. Mocktail ingredients often include fresh fruits, herbs, juices and sparkling water. There are many different combinations that make these drinks a great choice for Happy Hour. Mocktails are widely available at restaurants and can even be found in grocery stores.
Plant-Based and Nutritious Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Plants are the the foundation of mocktails. Incorporating fruits, vegetables, spices and herbs into these beverages add flavor and provide a nutritious boost. Popular mocktail ingredients include berries, celery, oranges and spinach. Adding fruits and veggies means more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Consider a plant-powered cocktail when you are avoiding alcohol.
Mocktails for a Dry January
Making your own mocktails can be fun and you can let your creativity run wild. Don’t forget to use different styles of glasses and use fruit and veggies to give your creations an interesting look. I used to be a bartender and I loved making up drinks for the kids at the bar mitzvahs. The Shirley Temple which is made with ginger ale and grenadine was my go to but now I’m having fun with new flavors.
Helpful Kitchen Items For Making Mocktails
I personally love the Paloma. It’s a drink traditionally made with tequila and grapefruit soda. My mocktail recipe is a version of a Pure Paloma. It skips the alcohol and doubles up on the flavor by adding extra lime juice and agave syrup to the mix. Have fun making this non-alcoholic beverage!
LA Dunn is a plant-based advocate and Bronx native who is having fun exploring new fruits, grains and veggies. LA is an Amazon Influencer and may receive compensation for links you visit in this blog post.
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Pure Paloma Mocktail
Ingredients
- 6 oz Grapefruit Soda
- 2 oz Sparkling water (grapefruit, plain or lime flavored)
- 3 oz lime juice
- 2 tbs agave syrup (add one more for taste if you like)
- 1 tbs fresh mint
- slices of lime and mint for garnish
- ice
Instructions
- Use a mortar and pestle to press mint leaves to release the mint oil. Don’t have one? No problem…place mint on a cutting board and use the back of your spoon to press on the leaves. Add mint to your glass. Add ice, agave, grapefruit soda, sparkling water and lime juice. Garnish with mint/slices of lime. Enjoy!
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