The trend for a healthy and ecological lifestyle has brought many changes to store shelves. Among them, a clear trend is the availability of non-alcoholic beverages, from which colorful and delicious mocktails can be created. What are modern cocktails? How to serve them? Which non-alcoholic drinks are the most popular?
Mocktails – what are they?
In your repertoire for impressive cocktails, it's worth having a few recipes for mocktails, which are non-alcoholic drinks. Their original name comes from the combination of the words "mock" and "cocktail". Although "mock", non-alcoholic drinks can be just as tasty as classic alcoholic beverages – all it takes is careful attention to the high quality of the ingredients used to prepare them.
An additional ace up the sleeve of home bartenders is currently the wide range of non-alcoholic beverages. Today, it is easy to buy non-alcoholic gin, wine, prosecco, martini, and even vodka. However, before inviting guests, it's better to check their quality – some of them have no taste at all, while the recipe of others is so refined that they leave a physical sensation in the mouth, similar to consuming alcohol! To take on this challenge of preparing mocktails for a party, you will also need syrups – non-alcoholic, of course, fresh fruits and herbs, and ice cubes, as well as cocktail picks, straws, and elegant and original glasses and cocktail glasses.
Popular non-alcoholic drinks
Mocktails offer the taste of drinks without the side effects of consuming alcohol. Because they are delicious, they positively affect mood without causing symptoms typical of alcohol intoxication. They also have slightly fewer calories than traditional cocktails, because the base itself – i.e., non-alcoholic beverages – has no calories.
Mocktails prepared with the right proportions do not differ in taste and aroma from the original – non-alcoholic drinks can become the hit of the party! Popular mocktails include: Virgin Mojito, Nojito, Bold Gin and Tonic, or Virgin Aperol Spritz. Creating them at home is very simple, and their taste will delight everyone.
Elegant serving of non-alcoholic drinks
When serving mocktails, it is important to remember to use appropriate glassware. It should definitely be the same type of glassware in which alcoholic beverages would be served. Non-alcoholic drinks in tall glasses and goblets will not only taste good but also look phenomenal.
The pleasure of drinking mocktails lies not only in their taste, which makes them similar to the original, but also in the way they are served. Non-alcoholic drinks can also be layered, dazzle with colors, and be decorated with fruit slices, herbs, or a crust. Especially at parties where original cocktails are also served, glasses for non-alcoholic drinks are an important element of table setting so that non-drinkers do not feel excluded.
Most popular mocktails - recipes
The most popular mocktails are tasty, cheer you up, and don't cause headaches. It's worth knowing a few basic recipes to surprise your guests at the upcoming party!
Recipe for a non-alcoholic Virgin Mojito
To prepare a Virgin Mojito mocktail, you will need:
- Juice squeezed from 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 4-5 sprigs of fresh mint
- 300 ml sparkling water
- 3 slices of lime
- 0.5 teaspoon of vanilla syrup or vanilla extract
- Ice cubes
Chill the sparkling water well. Put mint sprigs in a thick-walled glass, add sugar, and pour in lime juice. Muddle everything very thoroughly. Pour in the syrup or squeeze in the vanilla extract and muddle a little more. Add ice, lime slices, and top up with sparkling water. Mix everything thoroughly.
Recipe for a non-alcoholic Bold Gin&Tonic
To prepare a Bold Gin&Tonic mocktail, you will need:
- 200 ml tonic
- 100 ml non-alcoholic gin
- Ice cubes
- A piece of grapefruit
- Rosemary
Chill the liquid ingredients. Put ice in a tall glass. Lightly squeeze a slice of grapefruit and place it on the ice. Pour in tonic and non-alcoholic gin. Mix thoroughly. Garnish with rosemary.
Recipe for a non-alcoholic Virgin Aperol Spritz
To prepare a Virgin Aperol Spritz mocktail, you will need:
- 100 ml non-alcoholic Aperol or Martini Fiero
- 150 ml non-alcoholic prosecco
- 50 ml sparkling water
- A few ice cubes
- 2 slices of orange
Chill the liquids well. Place all ingredients into a wine glass, starting with ice and oranges, then the individual liquids. Mix thoroughly.
Recipe for a non-alcoholic Virgin Mimosa
To prepare a Virgin Mimosa mocktail, you will need:
- 150 ml non-alcoholic prosecco
- 50 ml freshly squeezed orange juice
- Ice cubes
- A sprig of rosemary
Chill the liquid ingredients. Transfer ice and orange juice to a shaker. Mix thoroughly. Strain the juice through a sieve into a flute glass. Top up with non-alcoholic prosecco. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.