Drink to ‘Dry January’, with our top holiday mocktails!

The ultimate holiday mocktails

Whether you’re on a ‘dry January’ health drive or you want to surprise your family and friends with some fun party drinks, these alcohol-free tipples are full of flavour and taste – making them perfect for your next getaway!

Virgin Watermelon Margarita

Serves: 6 Prep time: 3 hr’s beforehand, 5 minutes to make

When on holiday in Europe, you’ll find an abundance of watermelons for sale at food markets and in supermarkets. When the sun is beating down, this vibrant and energizing mocktail will keep all ages hydrated and ready for some holiday fun. Firstly, chop up the watermelon into cubes and place in the freezer for 3 hours. Next, dip the rim of each glass in water before rolling the rim in granulated sugar. Next, blend the frozen watermelon cubes with the Sprite, until smooth. Pour the delicious smelling mixture into the glasses. Finish with a thin wedge of watermelon to each rim. Cheers!

Ingredients:

1 watermelon (diced and frozen for 3 hrs before)

Can of Sprite (335ml/ 12oz)

Granulated sugar

Finish with: Sprig of fresh mint and granulated sugar around the rim, with a thin wedge of watermelon

Note: For more of a Margarita-style edge, feel free to add a dash of fresh lime or lemon juice!

Lemon & Mango Margarita

Serves: 4 Prep time: 10 minutes

These juicy flavours pack a punch on a cold winter’s day. You’ll taste the endless days of summer ahead, with each sip you take! Firstly, if you haven’t got these shop-bought syrups in, make your own (using the helpful notes below). Next, using a large pitcher jug, whisk the lemon juice with the 2 purees. Gently (and briefly) stir in the fizzy water. Rub a lemon wedge around the rim of each glass and then dip each rim into granulated sugar. Next, add ice and pour in the mixture, before garnishing with a lemon slice and fresh sprig of mint. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

6 tbsp fresh mango puree (see note)

3-4 tbsp simple syrup (see note)

2 tbsp lemon juice

500ml sparkling water

Finish with: Fresh mint, granulated sugar for the rim of the glass & slice of lemon

Note:

To make homemade mango puree, peel and cut 1 mango. Blend in a food processor, until the pulp is smooth. To make the simple syrup mixture, heat an equal 4 tbsp sugar with 4 tbsp water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil and then turn the heat down, to simmer. The sugar will dissolve in 30 seconds or so. Leave the simple syrup to cool in a room before using.

Sparkling Pear Punch

Serves: 10 Prep time: 10 minutes

This light, bubbly punch is full of autumn promise and festive winter flavour. It’s perfect as an aperitif to accompany meat and cheese platters, whilst also offering an uplifting accompaniment to a heavy meal. Simply pour all the ingredients into a large container (except the ginger ale) and refrigerate for 1 hr – 1 day before. This will enable the flavours to infuse to their full potential. When you’re ready to serve, pour the mixture 1/2 - 2/3 of the way into the glass, topping up the rest with the ginger ale.

Ingredients:

4-5 Anjou pears, diced

1 lemon worth of juice

32oz/ 946ml pear puree

2.5 cups spiced apple cider

2 litres ginger ale (carbonated water flavoured with ginger)

Finish with: Cinnamon stick

Note:

If you’re out of Pear puree simply chop up some ripe pears and mix in a blender with ice cubes, et voila!

French 75 Mocktail

Serves: 2 Prep time: 2 minutes

For something rather elegant, a flute of this mocktail will do the trick! Firstly, add the fresh lemon juice and bitters to a cocktail shaker, which has been filled with ice. Shake till the mixture has gone frosty, then pour equal amounts into each flute. Top off with tonic water and garnish with a sugary swizzle stick. Simple, yet effective!

Ingredients:

2 cups ice

Fresh lemon juice (88ml/3oz

4 dashes lemon/ orange bitters

2 x (177-236ml/6-8oz) bottles of premium tonic water (e.g. Fever Tree)

Finish with: A sugary swizzle stick in the glass

Note: If your shop is out of sugary swizzle sticks, dampen each glass rim with lemon juice, before rolling each in 1tsp caster sugar

Virgin Mojito

Serves: 1 Prep time: 2 minutes

Nothing beats a classic Mojito. With this recipe you’ll be able to enjoy the tempting fusion of mint and lime at any time of day, thanks to this alcohol-free version! Firstly, place the fresh mint leaves and lime juice into a glass and mush them with a ‘muddler’ (or the end of a wooden spoon) for 1 minute. Crushing the mint in this way will release the flavoursome mint oil into the mixture. Next, add the simple honey syrup and sparkling water. Cheers!

Ingredients:

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

2 tbsp honey syrup

Sparkling water

Ice (optional)

10/15 fresh mint leaves

Finish with: Sprigs of fresh mint and a slice of lime

Note:

To make simple honey syrup, pour a mellow tasting honey into a saucepan. Add in water, to a ratio of 1:2 (that’s 1-part honey, 2 parts water). Heat on a low heat, until the honey has fully dissolved. Abracadabra, you have honey syrup! Allow to cool before mixing. If needed store in the fridge beforehand (it remains good for up to 4 weeks in an airtight container).

Also, for express drinks and larger pitchers, why not use Limeade instead? Simply take out the honey syrup and fresh lime ingredients, in favour of ¼ cup of Limeade instead.

Wherever you’re spending your next holiday, we hope you enjoy making these fun, alcohol-free holiday drinks. “Salute!”