Drinking and NYE seem to go hand in hand, but for those of us who don’t drink, we can feel a little left out. I am always impressed when I go to a party and the hostess has also prepared a few mocktails for us sober folks to choose from. If you are having a party this NYE, here are some of my favorite mocktails that will sure to be a hit!
Black Currant Cider
You could use grape or cranberry juice instead for this recipe but I think black currant makes it just a little more special for the occasion. Just add sparkling apple cider and a little lemon juice.
I N G R E D I E N T S
1/4 cup black-currant juice
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 cups chilled sparkling cider
lemon peels, for garnish
P R E P A R A T I O N
Combine black-currant juice with lemon juice. Add sparkling cider. Divide between 2 glasses, and garnish each with a lemon peel.
Virgin Hibiscus Cosmopolitan
Maybe you call this something else if you serve it to your kids? But I love the bright, tangy flavor of hibiscus.
I N G R E D I E N T S
1 1/4 cups water
1/4 cup honey
6 hibiscus tea bags
juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup coconut water
1-2 cups diet lemon-lime soda, chilled
P R E P A R A T I O N
Put the water and honey in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve the honey; remove from the heat and add the tea bags. Steep the tea for four minutes; remove the tea bags and let the mixture cool completely. Pour the tea mixture into a cocktail shaker and add one cup of ice. Pour in the coconut water and lime juice, put the lid on and shake vigorously until well chilled. Strain into four chilled martini glasses, top each glass off with lemon-lime soda and serve immediately.
Roman Holiday Mocktail
I love the sophisticated flavors in this cocktail of amaretto and blood orange. It’s for the Audrey Hepburns among you.
I N G R E D I E N T S
4 ounces orange juice
3 ounces lemonade
3/4 ounces blood orange syrup
1/4 ounces Amaretto syrup
1 orange wedge
1 lemon wedge
1 mint sprig
P R E P A R A T I O N
Fill a 14 to 16-oz glass half full of ice. Combine all ingredients; squeeze and drop in an orange wedge; stir. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a mint sprig.
Cranberry Kiss
Mint and lime bring out the best in cranberry juice for this fun, holiday mocktail.
I N G R E D I E N T S
2 oz. Sierra Mist Natural
2 1/2 oz. cranberry juice
1 mint leaf
fresh lime juice (about 1/4 of a lime)
P R E P A R A T I O N
In a martini shaker, muddle one mint leaf with lime juice. Add the cranberry juice to the shaker; shake well and strain into a champagne glass. Top with Sierra Mist Natural. Garnish with three cranberries skewered on a toothpick.
Tequila Sunrise Mocktail
This orange juice-based cocktail is exactly what you New Year’s Day brunch needs.
I N G R E D I E N T S
4 ounces orange juice
1/2 ounce grenadine
orange slice for garnish
P R E P A R A T I O N
Fill a highball glass with ice and orange juice. Slowly pour grenadine over the juice, it will sink to the bottom and slowly rise to the top as you drink. Garnish with an orange slice.
