Are you taking part in Dry January? I’m attempting it for the first time this year (as mentioned in this post)! Today I’m sharing some favorite mocktails that will make you forget about any cravings or desires for the alcohol-filled versions. Enjoy them this month, or at any time!
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Mock Moscow Mule
The strong flavor of ginger beer completely satisfies my need for some flavor at the end of the day. And because I can easily keep all the ingredients on hand, this recipe is a primary go-to.
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, fresh is best but for convenience try this brand
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup (see below)
- 1/4 cup club soda or seltzer
- 3/4 cup Ginger Beer (not ginger ale – I’ve been using this diet brand)
- crushed ice
Mix lime juice, simple syrup, and ginger beer in a cocktail shaker. Fill glass partly with ice. Pour shaker contents into a glass then top with club soda or seltzer water. Garnish with lime and/or mint. Makes 1 mocktail.
NOTE: You can make your own simple syrup by combining equal parts water and sugar. Heat until all sugar is dissolved and then store in the refrigerator.
Paloma Parody
Palomas are my favorite drink when enjoying Mexican food! In my opinion, much more refreshing than a margarita.
- 1/2 cup fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice
- 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 1 – 3 teaspoons simple syrup, to taste
- 3/4 cup club soda or seltzer
- ice
Mix the grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a large glass or shaker. Divide club soda/seltzer between two glasses of ice. Pour half of the grapefruit mixture into each of the glasses. Garnish with lime or grapefruit wedges, if desired. Makes 2 mocktails.
NOTE: For an extra kick, use jalapeno-infused simple syrup or a bit of jalapeno in the garnish.
Counterfeit Cosmo
- 1 ¾ cup cranberry cocktail
- ¼ cup seltzer
- 1 or 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice OR ¾ teaspoon orange extract
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (or this brand)
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Dip rim of a martini glass in water or lime juice and then into a shallow plate of sparkling sugar. Pour cocktail into glasses and garnish with lime and a Luxardo cherry. Makes 2 mocktails.
NOTE: Orange extract contains a very small amount of alcohol but can be a useful, shelf-stable substitute for orange juice if that isn’t a concern for you.
A scaled-down version of this another one of my daily drinkers. I always keep an assortment of Ocean Spray 5 calorie juices on hand (Cran-Cherry, Cran-Pomegranate, and Cran-Blackberry are all winter month faves) and, when mixed with seltzer, they make for an easy, pretty, and flavorful mocktail.
Faux French 75
- ¼ cup superfine sugar
- 4 ounces fresh lemon juice
- 4 bottles cold bitter lemon tonic, such as Fever-Tree
Shake sugar, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of hot tap water in a cocktail shaker until sugar dissolves. Strain into Champagne flutes. Top with bitter lemon soda. Garnish with twists of lemon. Makes 4 mocktails.
Boozeless Bloody Mary
I’m not really a brunch person but if you are, you might be craving a Bloody Mary during Dry January. This boozeless version will scratch that itch!
- 2 cups prepared tomato juice
- 1/4 cup dill pickle juice OR olive brine
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Combine tomato juice, pickle juice, lemon juice, horseradish, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, celery seeds, and cayenne in a large pitcher. To serve, pour about 2/3 cup of the mixture into ice-filled glasses. Garnish each with a celery stalk, olives, and a lemon wedge. Makes 4 mocktails.
Hot Buttered Rum Ruse (with a Hawaiian twist)
Crave something warm during the winter months? This Hawaiian take on a hot buttered rum is sure to leave you with a warm feeling in your heart.
- 48 ounces pineapple juice
- ⅔ cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 4 cinnamon sticks, snapped in half
Bring pineapple juice, orange juice, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon sticks to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks and serve hot in Irish coffee glasses or mugs. Garnish with a full cinnamon stick, wedge of pineapple, and/or a Luxardo cherry. Makes 6 mocktails.
Thanks so much for your likes, shares, and follows! Until next time,
