The best thing about summer is trying different Mocktails or drinks to cool down the body temperature. Sharing my three easy and simple recipes to make non-alcoholic drinks this summer.
They’re often lower in calories than cocktails, and can make an event like a brunch, a baby shower or a backyard barbecue more special for everyone — not just the drinkers in the group.
Whether you’ve given up alcohol or are trying to cut back — or are accommodating guests who need or prefer non-alcoholic drinks — these cool, bubbly mocktails will make any summer day feel a little more chilled out.
Mocktails are cocktails without the liquor. They often contain juice, soda, different kinds of water and other non-alcoholic ingredients. Non-alcoholic cocktails have recently become very popular and are a great option for those who don’t drink alcohol, are driving, or are “sober curious”.
Cooling Horchata
Make your own horchata right at home with a few simple ingredients: rice, water, almonds, cinnamon and sugar!
Ingredients (Yields 4)
1/2 cup white rice
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup whole almonds blanched * (for vegan options to make almond milk). Alternatively, you can also use 1 whole can of evaporated milk or 1 cup of any whole milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar or to taste
5 1/2 cups water
Instructions
Using a spice or coffee grinder, grind the rice and cinnamon until it reaches a fine powder.
Add the rice and cinnamon mixture to a large jar or jug with the almonds. Stir in 3 cups of hot water and allow to cool to room temperature. Cover and let stand overnight (10-12 hours) on the counter, not in the fridge.
THE NEXT DAY:
Transfer the mixture to your blender, add remaining 2 1/2 cups of water and sugar and blend until it is is smooth. This may take about 3-4 minutes.
Pour mixture through a fine mesh sieve layered with cheesecloth or use a nut milk bag. Gather edges of cheesecloth or milk bag and squeeze remaining pulp to force out as much liquid as you can. Discard leftover pulp.
Transfer to airtight container or jug to store in the refrigerator. Slight separation is normal, just stir or shake before serving. Serve over ice garnished with extra cinnamon, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes If you cannot find blanched almonds in your grocery store you can blanch your own by adding regular almonds into boiling water for a minute or two. Drain under cool water and give them a little squeeze so the skins slip right off.
How how long does horchata keep for in the fridge? It should last about 3 or 4 days for the best taste. But I guarantee that you'll want to drink it all in a day!
What kind of rice can I use? Any white rice will work: long grain, jasmine, basmati, short grain. Just make sure it's raw white rice!
Do you need to wash the rice prior to soaking? Yes! Since we'll be using the same soaking water to make the horchata, I recommend you wash it to have a clean drink.
Do you leave it in the fridge overnight or just out on the counter when soaking? Depending on the weather- if it's too hot and humid, I would prefer to place the bowl in the fridge since we'll be using that same water for our final Horchata drink. This water already contains a lot of the rice & cinnamon flavor and we don't want to waste it!
How can I make it dairy free? Use almond milk or coconut milk. But you'll need to sweeten it with sugar or your favorite sweetener.
Refreshing Strawberry Margarita Mocktail
This refreshing drink will surely transfer to a tropical place immediately. It is refreshing, fruity, bubbly and non-alcoholic. Also, it's very easy to make and requires minimum ingredients. Isn't that just perfect?
Ingredients
1lb strawberries
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup sparkling water
1/4 cup lime juice
Ice
Coarse sugar (for the rims of the glasses) optional
Lime for garnish (cut into wheels)
Instructions
Place the strawberries, orange juice, sparkling water, lime juice and ice into your blender.
Blend on medium-high until it reaches a slushy consistency, add in ice as necessary.
Take a lime wheel and cut a small slit then wipe it around the rim of the glasses, creating moisture on the inside and outside of 4 glasses.
Pour the coarse sugar onto a plate and roll the glasses in it, collecting the sugar onto the lime juice on the rim.
Pour the Strawberry Margarita into 4 glasses, garnish with a lime wheel and serve!
Notes
What makes a good mocktail? Focus on Fresh Ingredients. You can substitute strawberries with raspberries if that's what you have fresh on hand.
Is there a sugar free option to make it more sweet? Yes, use 2 tbsp or more based on your liking of agave syrup for this recipe to make this drink even more healthier.
Spicy Jalapeno Virgin Margarita
The margarita is the quintessential Mexican cocktail. There are many different versions of how and when the margarita was created, from bartenders creating it for a showgirl, the daughter of a German ambassador, or Rita Hayworth herself, to it being a Mexican version of an American drink.
Another version claims a Dallas socialite created the simple yet intoxicating concoction. A classic margarita is made from tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and triple sec, and is served on the rocks with a salted rim, but if you don’t drink alcohol or are driving, have a non-alcoholic margarita!
Recipe for Virgin Margaritas
There are various versions of the non-alcoholic margarita, but one good option combines fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice, sweet and sour, club soda or sparkling water and simple syrup. Add oranges and limes for garnish. If you're looking for something with a little more zing, try this recipe:
Ingredients (Serves 2)
2 cup ice
salt for rim
8 slices fresh jalapeno
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
Juice of 2 small cucumbers
2 tbsp agave nectar
Instructions
Rub lime slice around rim of glass and dip in salt.
Fill glass with ice.
Add jalapeños.
Pour orange juice, cucumber juice and lime juice over ice.
Stir.
Notes:
I dislike overly sweet mixed drinks so I prefer to rim with salt rather than sugar, which helps to balance the spice. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, feel free to substitute the salted rim with a sugared rim instead. Or, you could do a mixture!
You can totally omit cucumbers here and it still tastes amazing.
You could also use a light limeade to add more of the zesty lime flavor you love.
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