Four Mocktails to Get You Through Dry January

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Whether you’re taking part in Dry January, or, like me, you might have had a few too many drinks over the festive period, the first month of the year is usually a bit easy on the alcohol. Combine that with the traditional health kick we all attempt, and the idea of hitting the bar trolley again gets more and more nauseating, wouldn’t you say?

Luckily, I’ve been searching the web and Pinterest, and pulled together four of my favourite mocktails. I’m desperately trying to stick to the water these days, but when I’m in need of a treat, these recipes are where I’ll be heading. The mocktail pictured is the Grapefruit Citrus Sparkling Mocktail, but if you try any of the others let me know how you get on! Enjoy!

0.1 Grapefruit Citrus Sparkling Mocktail (makes 2)

You will need:

4oz grapefruit juice

Small bottle of Sprite or 7up

Wedge of lime

Wedge of lemon

Sprig of thyme and grapefruit wedge for decoration

Method:

Tip the grapefruit juice into two glasses evenly, then squeeze the lemon wedge and lime wedge into the glass too. Add ice if you want to, then top up with the Sprite or 7up. Add the sprig of thyme and the grapefruit wedge on the side of the glass to decorate, and you’re all ready to serve!

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0.2 Elderflower, Lemon and Mint Mocktail Spritz (makes 2)

You will need:

50ml elderflower cordial

25ml lemon juice

150ml tonic water or lemonade

Handful of mint leaves

Lemon wedge to decorate

Method:

Fill up your glasses with ice if you want to, and add the elderflower cordial and lemon juice to it. Give the mixture a stir with a long spoon. Tear up the mint leaves in your hand, and smack them between your hands to release the flavour. Add these to the glasses along with the lemon wedges, and top with lemonade or tonic water to finish.

0.3 Earl Grey Tea and Tonic (makes enough syrup for around 10 mocktails)

You will need:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup of water

2-3 Earl Grey teabags

1/2 oz lemon juice

3-4 oz tonic water or lemonade

Method:

To make the Earl Grey syrup, mix the sugar and water in a small saucepan, and bring to the boil, stirring it to dissolve the sugar. When it’s combined, remove from the heat and add the teabags. Leave for about 15 minutes. Remove the teabags from the mixture, and let it cool. Separately to this, fill glasses with crushed ice if you want this, the add around 3/4 oz of the Earl Grey Tea syrup. Add the lemon juice and top up with the lemonade or tonic water. Stir and serve.

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0.4 Raspberry Lime Mocktail Spritzer (makes 2)

You will need:

2 cups sparkling water or lemonade

2/3 cups Kombuca

8-12 fresh raspberries

4 lime wedges

Method:

Add a few ice cubes to two glasses, if you want ice with your mocktail. Add around 1 cup to each glass of sparkling water or lemonade, then around 1/3 cup of the Kombuca. Add 4-6 fresh raspberries to each glass and then 2 lime wedges to decorate. Serve straight away.