I’ve been testing mocktail recipes – I can make one that tastes like real mocktails

MORE adults than ever are avoiding alcohol, with one in eight not drinking at all or drinking very rarely.

Generation Z is leading the way, with many citing health reasons.

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But that doesn’t have to spoil the fun.

Free Spirited, by Colleen Graham, is a new mocktail book with perfect recipes when another orange juice or sparkling water doesn’t suit you.

Colleen said: “The no/low alcohol lifestyle is on the rise as consumers look for great mixed drinks that lack the alcohol.

“It’s time for a revolution that combines non-alcoholic ingredients to create sensational drinks that can rival any alcoholic Martini or Old Fashioned.”

Colleen introduces five of her mocktails here and Natasha Haring, who rarely drinks, tries them and rates them all out of a maximum of five…

• Recipes from Free Spirited: 60 No/Lo Cocktail Recipes For The Sober Curious, by Colleen Graham, £12.99 (HarperNonFiction).

Simple syrup

For approximately 350 ml

YOU NEED:

• 400 g white granulated sugar

METHOD:To make a standard batch of syrup, bring 250ml of water to the boil in a small saucepan and stir in the granulated sugar until dissolved.

Reduce heat, cover pan, and simmer for about five minutes. Then remove from heat and let cool completely.

When stored in bottles (use a well-sealed glass or plastic container) and in the refrigerator, the syrup can be kept for up to two weeks.

For 1 person

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If you make this yourself, it will still taste good.

All you need are a few pantry staples, tomato juice, and some fun garnishes.

The combination of lemon, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, black pepper, and hot sauce is the perfect flavor enhancer for the tomato juice.

Bottled tomato juice works fine, but canned isn’t that great.

YOU NEED:

• 120–150 ml fresh or bottled tomato juice
• 2 dashes hot sauce (Tabasco or Cholula)
• 15 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Dash of Worcestershire sauce
• Pinch of celery salt
• Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
• Ice cubes
• 1 stalk of celery, gherkin and lemon wedge, for garnish

METHOD: Pour the tomato juice into a tall glass and add the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, pepper and hot sauce.

Fill the glass with ice and stir well (don’t be stingy with this, as the dilution with ice softens the tomato flavor).

Taste and add more hot sauce if needed. Then add the garnish.

Natasha says: My least favorite – too strong and spicy.

If I were to make it again, I would use less hot sauce and more ice cream.

Rating: 2/5

For 1 person

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Ah, the mojito – one of the favorite summer drinks. If you have fresh mint in your garden, you are all set.

The mojito is nothing more than a sparkling drink made with rum, mint and lime, and it’s easy to make without alcohol – just leave out the rum.

If you prefer, you can also use non-alcoholic rum, but the drink is also pleasantly refreshing without rum.

Throw a few berries into the mudddle, or another seasonal fruit. There really are no rules with the mojito.

YOU NEED:

• 1 lime, cut into 4 wedges
• 30 ml simple syrup
• 10 fresh mint leaves, torn
• Ice cubes
• 120–180 ml soft drink, tonic or sparkling water
• 1 sprig fresh mint, for garnish

METHOD: Place three lime wedges, the syrup and torn mint leaves in a long drink glass.

Mash everything well to release the lemon juice and mint essence.

Fill the glass with ice, top up with sparkling water and stir.

Garnish with the fourth lime wedge and the sprig of mint.

Natasha says: I love a mojito and this one was easy to make. But I found the taste a little too sweet.

I would try it again, but with less syrup and more sparkling water.

Rating: 3/5

White grape sundowner

For 1 person

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ONE of my favorites. Been making it for a few decades now and it’s even more interesting now with the non-alcoholic botanical spirit options.

I highly recommend the fragrances with a dominant floral or citrus scent.

White grape juice is the key, and you should be able to find it in any decent grocery store. It is light, refreshing and sweet.

Try flavoured sparkling water or use the Sundowner to discover alcohol-free sparkling wines.

The frozen grapes really make this drink. Green or red is fine, but I prefer green.

They keep your drink cool and look fantastic.

YOU NEED:

• 5-6 frozen grapes
• 45 ml non-alcoholic gin or non-alcoholic botanical drink
• 90 ml white grape juice
• 90 ml flavoured sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling wine
• 2-3 fresh mint leaves, for garnish

METHOD: Place the frozen grapes in a white wine glass or champagne glass.

Add the spirit and juice and top up with sparkling water or non-alcoholic wine. Add the fresh mint leaves as a garnish.

Natasha says: This looks so delicious and it almost feels like you are drinking alcohol because it is served in a champagne glass.

It has a lovely, light flavour and I think I’ll be making it again.

Rating: 5/5

Lemon Drop Martini

For 1 person

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SWEET yet tart, this is a true taste sensation and an excellent dessert mocktail.

A mild, non-alcoholic botanical is needed to replace the vodka.

Choose fragrances with floral aromas, such as lavender and rose, and a dominant citrus profile.

Avoid drinks with juniper or drinks with too many herbs similar to gin, as these will overpower the lemon.

Fresh lemon juice and syrup are essential.

As a finishing touch, the sugared rim provides a candy-like atmosphere.

YOU NEED:

• 1 slice of lemon
• Crystal sugar, for the rim
• 60ml soft flavoured non-alcoholic gin or non-alcoholic botanical drink
• 30 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 15-20 ml simple syrup
• Ice cubes
• 1 slice of lemon, for garnish

METHOD: Wipe the rim of a cocktail glass with the lemon wedge.

Roll or dip the edge in a small bowl filled with sugar.

Pour the liquids into a shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, then strain into the prepared glass. Garnish.

Natasha says: I loved making this and it tasted perfect. If you like sour drinks you will definitely like this.

Rating: 5/5

Cranberry Basil Sangria

For 4 persons

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SANGRIA usually contains wine, but in the non-alcoholic versions, fruit juice is a good option. It is a great jug drink.

For this recipe you use cranberry juice, or you can use non-alcoholic wine.

Fresh or frozen cranberries are fine, but use fresh basil (which is easy to grow) and experiment with different flavored sparkling water.

YOU NEED:

• 710 ml cranberry juice (white or red)
• 120 ml freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 apple, cored and sliced
• 100 g cranberries, fresh or frozen
• 10 g (packed) basil leaves
• 350 ml sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• 3-5 cranberries, 1 orange slice and 1 sprig of fresh basil per glass, for garnish

METHOD: Place the cranberry and orange juice and sugar in a jug and stir until the sugar has dissolved.

Add orange and apple slices and cranberries.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Pour into glasses filled with ice, top up with sparkling water and garnish as above.

Natasha says: You have to prepare it the night before – but it must be refreshing.

Rating: 4/5