By Emily Wei, Lifestyle Columnist
Happy July! With longer days and warmer evenings, there’s no better time for a refreshing drink. Enter the summer mocktail: a refreshing, alcohol-free beverage. Just because there’s no alcohol doesn’t mean you have to settle for plain soda water. With fresh herbs and seasonal fruit, mocktails can offer countless flavour possibilities.
First up, let’s start with some mocktail basics. A mocktail is essentially just a cocktail without the alcohol, and the formula is pretty simple. All you need are a few key components: a base, something fresh, an optional sweetener, some fizz, and of course – ice. The base is the main flavour of your drink, usually a juice, brewed tea, or flavoured water. My personal favourites are mango juice and coconut water. They’re refreshing and super easy to build around. To give your drink a summery vibe, it’s always nice to add something fresh, like herbs (mint or rosemary), citrus slices, cucumber, or berries. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can easily mix in a bit of simple syrup (just sugar and water), honey, or even maple syrup! And for the bubble lovers out there, sparkling water, soda water, or ginger ale work great, either as a mixer or as the base itself. Now that you’ve got the basics down, let’s get into some simple mocktail recipes that are easy to throw together. First up, a cucumber lemonade sparkler. I’m a sucker for cucumber water, and this is just a tastier, fizzier version. All you need is half a cup of lemonade, a splash of sparkling water, and some ice. Add a few slices of cucumber, and you’re good to go. If you’re not a cucumber fan, you can swap it out for muddled strawberries, orange slices, or even your favourite fruit juice. If you’re feeling a bit friskier, try using a more acidic fruit like pineapple or lime with ginger ale and ice. It gives the drink a tangier, more refreshing twist.
For those feeling a bit more adventurous, here are a few mocktails that take a couple of extra ingredients or steps but feel much fancier (perfect for treating yourself or impressing guests). My friend and I shared a spiced pineapple mule at a restaurant just a few days ago, and it turns out it’s actually pretty easy (and way more affordable) to make at home. Just shake half a cup of pineapple juice, a tablespoon of lime juice, and a splash of cinnamon simple syrup (optional) with ice. These are typically served in copper mugs, so if you’ve got one tucked away, now’s the time to bring it out! Top it off with ginger beer and garnish with a citrus slice or pineapple wedge. If you’re more into floral flavours, the hibiscus citrus cooler might be your thing. Brew some hibiscus tea and combine it with orange juice, lime juice, honey, and ice. Add a splash of club soda for some bubbles and, for a little extra flair, toss an edible flower on top for a colourful, summery touch!
All in all, whether you decide to keep things simple or get a little fancy, mocktails are a fun and refreshing way to stay cool and treat yourself. This summer, cocktails are out and mocktails are in!
Photo credits to: Image by freepik
