Since I very rarely drink alcohol, I started to collect recipes for Mocktails. It really jump-started when I went to a restaurant that had a most delicious cinnamon & grapefruit combo. At a later visit, I asked how to make it, and they gave me the recipe. I started to save recipe links, but when I found some posted online courtesy of Nova Scotia Health, I was inspired by their graphics to start creating recipe “cards.” Basically, I created a Google Slides deck.
I have between 40 and 50 recipes, so far! The book is really only mini in size because I only had enough cardstock to print 4 to a page, instead of 2 like I originally planned. In hindsight, it turned out to be a good thing because many of the pages printed smudgy, and because I used white text on a pastel background for some, they’re hard to read. I also cut one wrong, so it’s in the book upside down, and punched a hole in the wrong place for another. At some point, I will go through the recipes and change the font color, and print them again, maybe at a print shop. I opted not to use my binding machine so I could add more in, or reorganize them. I do like that it’s small enough (about 2.5” X 4.25”) to easily take to the store, too.
Love it! I have a mini book that I’ve been adding favorite cocktail recipes in for years. I got it from Shop the Swap on Craftster. I’d also love to know more about the cinnamon grapefruit recipe.
That’s such a fun idea! Would you mind sharing a few recipes here? It’s always such a disappointment to go anywhere and there’s a whole book full of alcoholic drinks on the table, and for non-alcoholic options you’re limited to water, Coke, non-alcoholic beer and maybe if they’re really fancy, a virgin Mojito.
I can definitely share the cinnamon grapefruit one! I’ll edit my post after I take a quick nap.
And, if it’s allowed, I can link to the entire document once I make a few modifications to the font and layout of some of them. I have to get through the big pancake breakfast tomorrow and then I can tackle it
They have lots of places in Minneapolis that have at least 5 mocktails on the menu. Maybe other places will start doing that soon. I mean I think everyone kinda all over the world is becoming a lot more health conscious. Unfortunately the mocktails they have here are usually with cane sugar so I usually can’t get any. Lol. But I’m coming up with an idea based on the cocktail @craftADDchick just posted in the comments. I’m thinking grapefruit Izzy soda (carbonated juice) and maple syrup heated on the stove with cinnamon in it? Could be a healthier option.
Thank you! I am always snapping pics of interesting mocktails when I see them on a menu. I usually just save the ones that don’t use a super specific item like some brand of non-alcoholic gin or bourbon.
Oh I just realized club soda is sugar free. But I still need to make the syrup. I got some Simply grapefruit juice and the club soda. But in case I didn’t like the club soda I also got some sparkling water.
I love fancy cocktails or mocktails but I can’t have all that sugar either.
This is not sugar-free, just free from added sugar, but you can concentrate any juice or liquid ingredient by cooking it down or dehydrating. I made a delicious apple cider caramel by just reducing it.
There are some teas with natural sweetness too, like Celestial seasonings Bengal Spice. I think it may have monkfruit in it.
I have monk fruit extract in liquid form as well. I’m careful to buy it with no additives because it’s often mixed with other compounds that are terrible for health but it’s an excellent sugar substitute that tastes right. It’s extremely sweet and it’s pretty natural, just extracted.
Sometimes I’ll just have soda water with a splash of vanilla & fresh citrus, meyer lemon is a fave. Ginger’s so good with that too.
I’ll have to start a sugar free section, for sure! I was thinking that mocktails were for special occasions when I wanted a “fancy” beverage while those around me were enjoying their own.
But, I am trying to work towards a “romance the ordinary” lifestyle by elevating daily events in some way- breaking out the fancy dishes, drinking out of a beautiful handmade mug vs a mass produced one, placing bouquets of fresh flowers around the house (even if they’re just posies), etc. Rewarding myself with a beverage in a lovely piece of glassware (or stemware… that word itself always seemed to denote fancy glasses) would be a more regular occurrence if it wasn’t packed with a bajillion calories!
I had never thought about ways to make concentrates, but now you’ve put it on my radar! I’m also trying to appreciate club soda more. I’ve just picked up a few bottles of one of Polar Beverages Brown Sugar Clementine (one of their winter limited edition flavors), and it’s got me wondering how they create those flavors- the seltzers are zero calories and made with only carbonated water and natural flavors. The company headquarters is right here in my city so maybe I can reach out to them
We had one of those soda making machines but the business model is suspect so we stopped supporting them.
Unfortunately, those “natural” flavoured sugar-free sodas are made with propylene glycol & the flavouring is a chemical mystery as well. Better than a lot of things but still not for me.
The Glucose Goddess makes cocktails from vinegar, which is a pre-meal blood sugar stabilizer so I’ve been thinking about that lately, herbal infused vinegars splashed in soda.
I love this. We use our best pottery for every day at our place in the country. I’m here on holiday by myself for 2 weeks & I think I will do my hair & dress fancy a few times, just because. I’ll definitely be lighting candles, taking luxurious baths in the big tub, & cooking & eating well. Might as well make myself some fancy drinx while I’m at it!
But I still need to make the syrup. I got some Simply grapefruit juice and the club soda. But in case I didn’t like the club soda I also got some sparkling water.