Cocktails and mocktails
As we head into the festive season and thoughts turn to celebratory cheer, spare a thought also for the non-drinkers.
Cocktails are a cool way to celebrate. You can make them by the jug full, and many may also be converted into non-alcoholic versions or mocktails.
The main difference between a mocktail and a cocktail is the alcohol. A cocktail contains alcohol spirits and a mocktail doesn’t contain any alcohol at all. Mocktails often taste just as delicious as their alcoholic counterparts.
Fruit is an essential ingredient for fun summer cocktails and mocktails, fruit such as blood oranges with a gorgeous purple-red colour and sweet orange flavour with hints of cherry and raspberry. Swap orange, or lemon juice for blood orange juice and savour the difference.
A terrific option for larger groups is to make a punch, either alcohol based, or non-alcoholic. Better yet, provide both options for guests, and make sure they don’t get them mixed up.
Top tip: When plentiful, squeeze and freeze blood orange juice so you can enjoy all year round.
Cocktail Blood Orange Margarita
A classic cocktail, the margarita was invented in the 1930s and traditionally blends lime juice, Cointreau, and tequila. This recipe makes approximately one litre without the ice, so use a 1.5 litre jug.
Tip: Try Himalayan pink salt to rim the glasses.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups tequila
2 cups blood orange juice
3/4 cup Cointreau
3/4 cup lime juice
3 handfuls ice
Method
- Prepare glasses by rimming them with salt. Cut a notch in a lime wedge and slide that around the edge of the drink then dip glass rim into salt.
- Pour all liquid ingredients into jug, add ice and stir until cold.
- Pour into individual glasses, garnish with a blood orange slice.
Mocktail Blood Orange Spritzer
This colourful and delicious non-alcoholic drink comprises three ingredients only, and is easy to make in individual glasses or by the jug full. This is the basic recipe for one glass, but it could easily be made a bottle at a time.
Tip: Substitute ginger beer or ginger ale for the alcohol-free wine.
Ingredients
Blood orange juice, freshly squeezed if possible
Lime juice, freshly squeezed or bottled
Alcohol-free wine, white or rose
Method
- Fill a large wine glass with ice. Add a fresh blood orange slice inside.
- Pour in the blood orange juice, lime juice and your alcohol-free wine.
- Stir gently, and garnish with rosemary or mint.
