MORE adults than ever are avoiding alcohol and one in eight do not drink at all, or only very rarely.
Gen Z is leading the way, with many citing health reasons.
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But that doesn’t have to take away the fun.
Free Spirited by Colleen Graham is a new mocktail book with perfect recipes if another orange juice or sparkling water doesn’t do it.
Colleen said: “The alcohol-free lifestyle is growing as consumers look for fabulous mixed drinks that avoid alcohol.
“It’s time for a revolution that combines non-alcoholic ingredients to create sensational drinks that rival any alcoholic Martini or Old Fashioned.”
Here, Colleen introduces five of her mocktails and Natasha Haring, who rarely drinks, tries and rates each one out of five. . .
- Free Spirited Recipes: 60 No/Lo Cocktail Recipes for the Sober Curious, by Colleen Graham, £12.99 (HarperNonFiction).
Simple Syrup
Makes about 350ml
YOU NEED:
- 400g white granulated sugar
METHOD: To make a standard batch of syrup, bring 250ml of water to a low boil in a small saucepan and add the granulated sugar until dissolved.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about five minutes before removing from heat and leaving to cool completely.
When bottled (use a tightly closed glass or plastic container) and refrigerated, the syrup will last up to two weeks.
Serves 1
7
MAKING it from scratch keeps you fresh.
All you need are some staples, tomato juice, and some fun garnishes.
The blend of lemon, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, black pepper, and hot sauce is the perfect seasoning for the tomato juice.
Bottled tomato juice works well, although canned isn’t great.
YOU NEED:
- 120–150ml fresh or bottled tomato juice
- 2 dashes of hot sauce (Tabasco or Cholula)
- 15ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Worcestershire Sauce Dash
- Pinch of celery salt
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- Ice cubes
- 1 stalk of celery, pickle 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 skimp – diluting the ice softens the tomato flavor).
Taste and add a few more dashes of hot sauce if you like, then garnish.
Natasha says: My least favorite – very strong and spicy.
If I were to make it again, I would add less hot sauce and more ice.
Rating: 2/5
Serves 1
7
AH, the mojito – one of our favorite summer drinks. If you have fresh mint in your garden, you’re ready to get started.
The mojito is nothing more than a sparkling wine with rum, mint and lemon, and is easy to make without alcohol – just skip the rum.
Use a zero-proof rum if you prefer, but the drink is just as refreshing without it.
Mix some berries or any other seasonal fruit into the mix. There really are no rules with the mojito.
YOU NEED:
- 1 lemon cut into 4 slices
- 30ml simple syrup
- 10 fresh mint leaves, torn
- Ice cubes
- 120–180ml soft drink, tonic or sparkling water
- 1 sprig of fresh mint, for garnish
METHOD: Place three lemon slices, the syrup and torn mint leaves in a tall glass.
Knead well to release the citrus juice and mint essence.
Fill the glass with ice, top with sparkling water and stir.
Garnish with the fourth lemon wedge and the mint sprig.
Natasha says: I love a mojito and this one was easy to make. But I found the flavor a little too sweet.
I would try again but reduce the amount of syrup and add more sparkling water.
Rating: 3/5
White grape sunset
Serves 1
7
ONE of my favorites. I’ve been doing this for a few decades and today it’s even more interesting thanks to non-alcoholic botanical spirit options.
I strongly recommend those with a floral or citrus predominance.
White grape juice is key and you should be able to find it in a decent supermarket. It’s light, refreshing and sweet.
Try flavored sparkling water or use Sundowner to explore non-alcoholic sparkling wines.
Frozen grapes are the final piece to this drink – green or red work, but I prefer green.
They keep your drink cold and look fabulous.
YOU NEED:
- 5-6 frozen grapes
- 45ml zero-proof gin or non-alcoholic botanical spirit
- 90ml white grape juice
- 90ml flavored 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 flute.
Add the spirit and juice and top with sparkling water or non-alcoholic wine. Add fresh mint leaves as a garnish.
Natasha says: It looks so good and almost feels like you are drinking booze as it is served in a champagne glass.
It tastes delicious and light and I can see myself making it again.
Rating: 5/5
Martini with Lemon Drop
Serves 1
7
SWEET yet tart is a flavor sensation and a great dessert mocktail.
You need a mild-tasting, non-alcoholic botanical spirit to replace the vodka.
Look for those with florals, like lavender and rose, and a dominant citrus profile.
Avoid anything with juniper or lots of spices trying to replicate gin, as they overpower the lemon.
Essentials are fresh lemon juice and simple syrup.
As a finishing touch, the sugared rim adds a sweet touch.
YOU NEED:
- 1 slice of lemon
- Granulated sugar, for the rim
- 60ml smooth-tasting, non-alcoholic gin or non-alcoholic botanical spirit
- 30ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 15-20ml 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 into a small dish filled with sugar.
Pour the liquids into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously and strain into the prepared glass. Decorate.
Natasha says: I loved doing this and it was just perfect. If you are a fan of more acidic drinks, you will definitely like it.
Rating: 5/5
Cranberry Basil Sangria
Serves 4
7
SANGRIA normally includes wine, but in non-alcoholic versions, fruit juice does the trick. It’s a great pitcher drink.
This recipe uses cranberry juice or non-alcoholic wine.
Fresh or frozen cranberries work, but use fresh basil—it’s easy to grow—and try sparkling waters with a variety of flavors.
YOU NEED:
- 710ml cranberry juice (white or red)
- 120ml freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 sliced orange
- 1 apple, cored and sliced
- 100g cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 10g (packed) basil leaves
- 350ml sparkling water
- Ice cubes
- 3-5 cranberries, 1 orange slice and 1 sprig of fresh basil per glass, for garnish
METHOD: Combine the cranberry and orange juice and sugar in a pitcher and stir until the sugar dissolves.
Add orange and apple slices and cranberries.
Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight.
To drink, pour into glasses filled with ice, top with sparkling water and garnish as above.
Natasha says: You must prepare the night before – but refreshing.
Rating: 4/5
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