Photo Mingle Mocktails
Are you taking a break from drinking alcohol this month? Dry January has become more and more popular in recent years as people are happy to take a break from drinking after a perhaps overindulgent holiday season or as part of a New Year’s resolution. Dictionary.com even has an entry for this and you can combine the words to one as in “Drynuary” if you’d like.
There are also some health benefits to abstaining from alcohol. Giving up alcohol can mean better sleep, weight loss, and more energy, according to UC Davis Health. And since alcohol is dehydrating, skipping that cocktail might help your skin’s appearance, too, according to this “Today” segment (which also features a few recipe ideas).
Sure, you could just pour some juice or carbonated water in a glass, but if you take a few minutes to mix up a mocktail, put it in a nice glass, and include little garnishes like you would a cocktail, it’s much more fun and might help you feel like you are not missing out on anything. An easy idea: Pour some cranberry juice over ice, add some carbonated water and lime juice and garnish with a lime slice for a refreshing twist. And with a few mocktail recipes from around the globe here, you can get a little taste of the tropics, too, as you raise a glass to Drynuary, plus see how easy it is to whip up mocktails with ready-made mixers that include a range of flavors from cranberry and blood orange to hibiscus and more. And you can certainly incorporate these ideas throughout the year.
When you would like to go out for a mocktail, there are many places around the Twin Cities that are mixing up delicious options. Check out Where to Find Mocktails this Dry January. Cheers!
Photo Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino
Sparkling Lemon Rasp
Makes 1 | Courtesy Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino
1 ounce raspberry mixer
1 ounce lemonade mixer
6 ounces nonalcoholic beer
Raspberry and mint Leaves
Add raspberry mix and lemonade mix into a shaker then shake for 5 to 8 seconds. Top off with the nonalcoholic beer and garnish with raspberries and mint leaves.
Photo Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf
Eastside Garden
Makes 1 | Courtesy Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf
2 ounces Seedlip Garden nonalcoholic spirit
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
2 ounces simple syrup
10 fresh mint leaves
3 cucumber slices
5 basil leaves
Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass, add ice cubes, and shake well. Strain and pour into a coupette glass and garnish with two basil leaves.
Photo The Elms Hotel & Spa
Virgin Cucumber Gimlet
Makes 1 | Courtesy The Elms Hotel & Spa
1.5 ounces club soda
4-5 slices of muddled cucumber
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce simple syrup
Add cucumber and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker (or Mason jar). Muddle the two ingredients together to mash the cucumber. Add lime juice to the shaker. Cover and shake vigorously, until frothy. Pour over ice and top with club soda.
Rosemary Blueberry Fizz
Makes 1 | Courtesy Andaz West Hollywood
1/4 cup blueberries
1 sprig of fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 ounces club soda
2 ounces mineral water
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the blueberries, rosemary, honey, and lemon juice until the blueberries have released their juices. Add ice to the shaker and shake until well combined. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice. Pour in the club soda and mineral water, and gently stir to combine. Garnish with additional blueberries and a sprig of rosemary, if desired.
There are also nonalcoholic drinks available ready in cans or bottles. Mingle is a line of sparkling ready-to-drink craft mocktails that can be served on their own or used as a mixer. The collection includes a range of fruit and botanical-infused flavors like Cranberry Cosmo, Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini, Blood Orange Elderflower Mimosa and more. Here are a couple mocktail ideas made with Mingle.
Photo Mingle Mocktails
Cranberry Martini Mocktail
Makes 1 | Courtesy Mingle Mocktails
2 ounces nonalcoholic gin
.25 oz lime juice
.25 oz cranberry juice
4 ounces Mingle Mocktails Cranberry Cosmo
Optional Garnish: Dehydrated Lime, Cranberries or Rosemary Sprig
Shake nonalcoholic gin, lime, and cranberry juice with ice. Pour into a martini glass and top with Mingle Mocktails Cranberry Cosmo.
Photo Mingle Mocktails
Apple Cider Mule
Makes 1 | Courtesy Mingle Mocktails
4 ounces Mingle Mocktails Moscow Mule
3/4 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice
1 ounce apple cider
Optional: 2 ounces gin alternative
Dehydrated apple round, lime wedge, or cranberries for garnish
Combine all ingredients over ice in a copper mug. Gently stir to combine. Garnish.
