Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Make merry with a mocktail
Wary of alcohol and want to savour a different treat? How about trying out a mocktail? Ishani Ranasinghe finds out some great mocktail combinations
No alcohol… it’s sweet and innocent and a whole lot of fun. mocktails have become the cocktails for the prohibitionist, those with alcohol allergies, lightweights and many others. This way teetotallers don’t have to feel left out and what makes it even better is that excellent mocktails sans the spirits (of course) can easily be made.

As many of the teetotallers put it, mocktails are starting to create quite a buzz in the party circuit. Mocktail-drinkers are persistent in their theory that anyone who’s any fun is slurping up these easy-to- make drinks like the ‘sunset coolers’ and ‘what me worry,’ served in fancy glasses and topped with colourful garnishes. Come to think of it these thirst quenchers seem to be the way to go with all those new strict regulations and the fines imposed… we’ll definitely toast to that, who wouldn’t?

Still unsure what mocktails are?
To put it very simply, mocktails are unique and refreshing party drinks that don’t contain alcohol. They are the perfect party drink for drivers and other guests who choose party drinks that are alcohol-free. Let’s face it, when someone throws a party, everyone should have something cool to drink beyond the usual offerings… otherwise we wouldn’t be the perfect host now, would we? Mocktails is the answer, as it blends a bunch of great ingredients to excite the taste buds for all your party guests.

While mocktails might sound a bit too boring, remember that they do not have to be limited to the standard ones. You could create one based on your guest’s, (and if you’re feeling selfish even your own) requirement. When some people opt to have a drink made without spirits, they always have expectations usually framed around the genuine drink. They want the taste of a particular distillation but not its effects. Unfortunately there is no way to give them what they really want… but a good mocktail tries to come close to it. When it comes to drinking, it is widely understood that the psychology of drinking is more important than the ingredients.

Also keep in mind…
Say you are planning on mixing drinks and making mocktails at your party, there are a few things you need to remember. You need to be familiar with a variety of syrups and juices, traditionally the accents of the cocktail world. As the bartender for the night it will really help you to be familiar with a varied list of drink recipes so that you can determine which cocktails will make good mocktails and which will make ridiculous ones.

One mocktail drinker gives me an example. Take the mocktail Margarita, the most amusing and common order. Remove the liquor, and you have a glass of lime and lime juice – a drink more like lemonade!

When making a mocktail you can experiment with high-concentrates of pineapple and grapefruit juices. But it is best to avoid orange juice, as it usually fails in mocktails, since it’s already so palatable and common. But citrus lime juice usually works well because of its sour taste. Syrups like grenadine, black currant, and almond are also useful. Fresh pineapple juice or coconut milk is popular for this task. Although simple syrup could be used, a sweet juice or syrup strengthens a drink’s integrity, as it keeps everybody guessing at the drink’s ingredients... now isn’t that something you would want to do!

All in all, mocktails could live up to the overriding appeal of a true cocktail; the knack to make any occasion seem special and any drinker feel pampered, without the hangover!

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