It’s almost the end of the spring semester, and summer is just around the corner. It’s time to start thinking of summer plans with friends. And what can be better than a summer party? Today I decided to share with you 3 easy mocktail (or non-alcoholic cocktail) recipes from one of my favorite cocktail books by Liz Scott, Zero-Proof Cocktails. I’m sure your friends will love them all!
Fizzy Mint Lemonade
This is a very refreshing and easy recipe. To prepare you will need….
–Mint Ice: mint leaves and spring water.
–Lemon Syrup: 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 1/2 cups of water, zest of 2 lemons and juice of 2 lemons.
-1 (1 liter) bottle of plain seltzer, well chilled.
To make the mint ice, place a mint leaf in each compartment of an ice cube tray and fill with spring water. Freeze until solid.
To make the lemon syrup, combine the sugar, water, and lemon zest in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring often. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, until somewhat thickened. Cool the syrup to room temperature, then stir in the lemon juice, and strain into an airtight container. Chill before using.
To serve, place 2 mint cubes in each of 6 large wineglasses, divide the syrup evenly among them, and stir about 3/4 cup seltzer into each.
And that’s it! Ready to enjoy!
Gingertini
This is definitely a drink for ginger lovers. It has a bold flavor, ideal for serving as a accompaniment to sushi and California rolls!
You will only need…
– 1 cup of boiling water
-2 ginger tea bags
-2 tablespoons of honey
–Ice!
– Splash of ginger ale, or more to taste
-2 chunks of crystallized ginger, for garnish
Pour the boiling water over the tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and cool the tea to room temperature.
Pour the tea into a cocktail shaker, add the honey and ice, and shake until combined and well chilled. Strain into 2 martini glasses, add a splash of ginger ale to each, stir, and serve garnished with the crystallized ginger on cocktail picks.
Category 1 Hurricane
The popular New Orleans cocktail in its lowest category. This is a fruity cocktail with passion fruit, guava, orange… very easy to prepare. And if you want, you can add a shot of rum and upgrade the category! To prepare this cocktail you are going to need…
-1/2 cup passion fruit juice
-1/2 cup guava nectar
-1/4 cup orange juice
-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
-1 tablespoon grenadine
–Crushed ice
-Splash of club soda
–Orange slice and Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Combine the passion fruit juice, guava nectar, orange juice, lime juice, and grenadine in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until well combined. Strain into a hurricane or tulip shaped glass half filled with crushed ice, add a splash of club soda, and serve garnished with the orange slice and cherry.