The festive holiday of the Fourth of July is sneaking up on us once again. Soon, there will be crowds gathered, fireworks sparking, and kids laughing and playing endlessly. Plus, let’s not forget about the delicious food and drinks. Whenever we gather, isn’t the best part always the food and drinks? Blow your guests away this summer with uniquely crafted mocktails. There’s nothing quite like making your own healthy, tasty drinks to wow everyone and earn bragging rights.
What is a Mocktail?
Frankly, you’re likely to be asked this question dozens of times when you serve your guests. So, let’s get right to it. Mocktails are non-alcoholic beverages consisting of a mixture of fruits and other soft drinks. They’re a great alternative to your usual alcohol-filled drink. Don’t knock it till you try it!
Mocktails are versatile, fancy, and sure to suit a diverse audience. In serving these delicious concoctions, you’ll inspire your guests to use healthier, natural ingredients for refreshing summer beverages. Read more about mocktails to learn the art of making sultry summer nights perfect with an enjoyable drink experience.
Top Mocktail Recipes to Try
1. Ginger Hibiscus Mocktail
You can never go wrong with pairing warming ginger with cooling hibiscus. Both are naturally hydrating which goes a long way under July’s heat. This tasty drink created by Ingrid Hoffmann does just the trick. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 4 bags hibiscus tea or dried hibiscus flower leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Mint-infused simple syrup
- Ginger ale, to taste
- Ice cubes, for serving
- 4 lemon wedges, for garnish
- 4 springs of fresh mint, for garnish
Preparation
First, bring water to a boil. Once boiled, turn down the heat and add the hibiscus tea. Let stand for 5 minutes. Remove the bags with a spoon after pressing on the bags to infuse the water with the remaining hibiscus. Transfer this concoction to a heat-proof pitcher.
Next, stir in the ginger, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Refrigerate until chilled for a minimum of 4 hours. Lastly, pour into 4 ice-filled glasses and top with ginger ale. For added taste and flair, garnish each drink with a lemon wedge and mint sprig.
2. Spicy Watermelon Sip
A delicious combination of salty and sweet, this fun summery classic drink is sure to be a party favorite. Remember that you can get fresh watermelon juice by adding the flesh of the watermelon (remove the seeds first) to your blender. You can strain for less pulp.
Ingredients
For the Spicy Salt Rimmer (makes 1 cup):
- 1 cup coarse-ground salt
- 1 tablespoon chipotle chile powder
For the Lemon-Lime Shrub (makes about 1 ½ cups):
- 3 lemons
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons Champagne vinegar
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice, strained
Spicy Watermelon Sip by Maureen Petrosky:
- 1 lime wedge
- 1 tablespoon Spicy Salt Rimmer (recipe above)
- Ice cubes
- ⅔ cup fresh watermelon juice
- 2 ounces Lemon-Lime Shrub (recipe above)
- ¼ tablespoon adobo sauce
- 1 small watermelon slice
Preparation
For the Spicy Salt Rimmer:
Combine salt and chipotle powder in a small bowl. Transfer to an airtight container. It can be stored in a dry place for up to 2 months.
For the Lemon-Lime Shrub:
First, peel lemons and place the strips of lemon peel in a nonreactive bowl. Add sugar to the bowl and stir. Press on the peel with your spoon to help release more flavor. Cover the bowl and let it stand until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns to syrup.
Next, juice the lemons and strain the juice into a bowl. You should have about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ cups of lemon juice. Add vinegar and lime juice. Once the sugar mixture is ready, remove the peels and pour the syrup into a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add the juice and vinegar mixture. Stir or shake to combine. You can store the mixture for up to 6 months in the fridge. Always shake before using.
For the Spicy Watermelon Sip:
For starters, you’ll want to run the flesh side of the lime wedge halfway around the rim of a glass. Spread the Spicy Salt Rimmer on a small plate. Lightly dip the rim into it (leaving one-half clean).
Next, grab a cocktail shaker, fill it halfway with ice cubes, and add the watermelon juice, Lemon Lime Shrub, and adobo sauce. Shake well. Finally, strain it into the glass. For garnish, you can place a small slit watermelon slice on the rim.
Look to Z.E.N. Foods for Your Nutritional Needs
Our biggest passion at Z.E.N. Foods is to serve our customers farm-to-table foods that contribute to their well-being and health goals. Health should never be compromised, and nutrition is a foundational base that needn’t be overlooked. Find out how the Z.E.N. meal plan works, and check out our sample menu to get started today!
