Whether you’re celebrating Dry January, need a fun winter warmer for the kids, or are desperately trying to stick to your New Year’s resolution to drink less, the right mocktail can be (almost) as fun as the real thing. Here are some recipes for delicious options that will keep you warm all winter long.
Hot Toddy:
This sober take on the wintertime favorite has all the perceived health benefits of the original.
Ingredients:
• 7 ounces hot tea
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Grated cinnamon
• Ground cloves
• Grated nutmeg
• Lemon wedge or cinnamon stick for garnish
Preparation:
1. Pour the honey, lemon and spices into a glass.
2. Top with the hot tea.
3. Stir, garnish, and serve.
Makes: one
Mulled Cider:
Another favorite winter warmer, we suggest leaving the lid off the pot during cooking time to allow the wonderful smells to waft around your home.
Ingredients:
• 1 gallon apple cider (apple juice can suffice)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon whole allspice
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• A square of cheesecloth (muslin bag or coffee filter can suffice)
• Cinnamon sticks to garnish
Preparation:
1. Pour the cider into a large pot and begin to heat on the stove.
2. Add the sugar.
3. Place the spices into the cheesecloth and tie, or place inside the muslin bag. Add to the pot.
4. Bring the mixture to the boil, and stir regularly.
5. Once it has boiled, allow to simmer for 20 minutes to enhance the flavor. Continue to stir occasionally.
6. Remove the spices from the pot, and ladle the mixture into mugs. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, and serve.
Makes: 16
Frost Bite:
This one’s sure to be a hit with Frozen fans both young and old.
Ingredients:
• Ice
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• 2 oz white grape juice (normal grape juice can suffice)
• Fresh mint leaves
• Fresh blueberries
• 3 oz Sprite/7-Up
Preparation:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and the three juices, and mix.
2. Tear the mint leaves loosely to open up the flavor, and crush some blueberries with the back of a spoon. Add to the cocktail shaker.
3. Shake all ingredients well and strain into a large glass filled with ice.
4. Top with Sprite.
5. Garnish with mint leaves, extra blueberries, and serve.
Makes: one
Ginger-Lime Fizz:
The supposed health benefits of ginger means that with this zesty mocktail by your side, you’ll be rid of that winter cold in no time.
Ingredients:
• Ice
• 12 ounces ginger beer (ginger ale can suffice)
• 4 ounces soda water
• ½ – 1 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice
• Bitters
• Lime wedges to garnish
Preparation:
1. Combine ginger beer and soda water in a jug filled with ice, add lime juice to taste.
2. Add several dashes of bitters to the top.
3. Garnish with lime wedges, serve.
Makes: two
Sleigh Driver:
Christmas may be gone, but you can keep the holiday spirit alive with this fruity number.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
• 3 pears, chopped into bite-size pieces, divided
• 2 quarts apple cider (apple juice can suffice)
• 1 lemon, halved and sliced
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• Lemon wedge to garnish.
Preparation:
1. Combine water, sugar, ginger, and 1 pear in a large pot on the stove. Bring to the boil, stirring occasionally.
2. Strain out the solids and return the mixture to the pan.
3. Add the remaining pears, apple cider, lemon and allspice and heat over medium-high for 15 minutes. Stir often.
4. Add cranberries and vanilla.
5. Reduce the heat to allow the mixture to simmer on medium-low. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
6. Ladle into mugs, add lemon wedge and serve.
Makes: 10
Photo: Uni
