Family Friendly Mocktails

Family Friendly Mocktails

Anytime you’re hosting a family gathering, it’s wise to offer non-alcoholic alternatives to make the whole party feel welcomed.

No matter how you like to celebrate, everyone wants to be part of the fun. A good host should always plan ahead with alcohol-free options for children, non-drinkers and designated drivers. We suggest offering a few mocktails to include all your guests in the festivities.

Put your own twist on classic cocktail recipes by swapping out the booze:

Alcohol Alternatives

Vodka → Tonic Water

– Add a splash of effervescence and depth to your mocktail with some soda water.

Rum → Vanilla Extract

– Mixing 1 part vanilla extract with 2 parts water can simulate the flavors of rum.

Whiskey → Juice

– For fruit-based recipes, use 4 parts juice and 1 part vanilla extract. Or try 3 parts peach nectar and 1 part apple cider vinegar.

Gin → Juniper Syrup

– Combine lemon, juniper berries, black tea, sugar & water into a botanical syrup.

Tequila → Rose Essence

– Enjoy the floral taste of tequila without all the bite, adding a dash of honey and cinnamon for an extra kick.

Feeling inspired? Channel your inner mixologist with these family friendly recipes:

Top Winter Mocktails

1. Apple Cider Moscow Mule
   Ingredients:
   • 4 oz. apple cider
   • 1 bottle of ginger beer
   • Cinnamon sticks and apple slices for garnish
   Directions:

   Fill copper mugs with copper mugs with crushed ice. Fill mug with halfway with apple cider, top with ginger beer until full. Garnish & enjoy!

2. Grapefruit and Rosemary Mocktail
   Ingredients:
   • ¼ cup homemade rosemary simple syrup *see instructions below
   • 4 c. sparkling water
   • 2 c. fresh pink grapefruit juice
   Directions:

   For the rosemary simple syrup: in small sauce pan add 1 c. water and 1 c. sugar over medium heat. Cook until sugar is dissolved—about 5 minutes. Pour mixture into heat-safe container. Add 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary. Let steep for at least 1 hour. For mocktail: In glass add ½ c. grapefruit juice, 1 Tb. rosemary simple syrup, and stir. Top with sparkling water until glass is full. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and serve chilled.

3. Cranberry Clementine Mocktail Mimosa
   Ingredients:
   • 12 oz. of clementine juice
   • 2 Tbs. of fresh cranberries
   • 6 oz. flavored sparkling water—cranberry suggested
   Directions:

   Pour clementine juice into glass until halfway full. Top with flavored sparkling water. Garnish with cranberries & enjoy!

4. Sparkling Apple Sangria Mocktail
   Ingredients:
   • 4 c. apple juice
   • 1 ½ c. lime juice
   • ¼ c. grenadine
   • 16 oz. club soda
   • Fresh apples, limes, and cranberries for garnish
   Directions:

   Pour ingredients into pitcher. Add in fresh fruit. Stir. Serve chilled.

5. Cherry Christmas – This take on a classic cherry bomb is reminiscent of a Shirley Temple with a seasonal slant.
   Ingredients:
   • 1 cup grenadine
   • 1 liter lemon-lime soda
   • 10 maraschino cherries
   • 1 tsp cinnamon
   Directions:

   In a mixing glass, combine grenadine with soda and pour into chilled glasses. Add maraschino cherries and cinnamon, and stir well before serving.

6. Apple Strudel Cider – Apple cider is already a holiday classic, but we’re heating things up by adding a little spice.
   Ingredients:
   • 1 ½ quarts apple cider
   • 3 tbsp brown sugar
   • 7 cinnamon sticks
   • 1 tsp ground allspice
   • ½ tsp ground cloves
   • ½ tsp fresh grated nutmeg
   • Pinch of salt
   Directions:

   In a saucepan, whisk together the cider, sugar, spices and salt. Simmer over medium-low heat, and stain into a pitcher. Serve in copper mugs garnished with cinnamon sticks.

7. Peppermint Cocoa – There’s nothing more comforting than a cup of hot chocolate, especially when it’s served with candy canes!
   Ingredients:
   • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
   • 1 quart milk
   • ½ cup chocolate chips, preferably semi-sweet
   • 6 peppermint sticks
   Directions:

   Place cocoa in a saucepan, and whisk with milk until smooth. Add chocolate chips and 3 crushed peppermint sticks, and let it simmer over medium heat with occasional stirring. Wait about 10 minutes until chocolate and peppermint have dissolved.

   Bring everything to a boil and then immediately remove. If desired, add a pinch of salt to cut the sweetness. Garnish each mug with peppermint sticks—serves 3-4 people.