Dry January Help - alcohol free drinks recipes to keep you going till February

First of all, congraulations! Whether you're raising money for charity or just doing it for your health, we're impressed. Read on below for our favourite alcohol-free drinks recipes to keep you going until February

 

Mocktail Mojito

A classic cocktail, the alcoholic free iteration is just as zingy and a joy to drink.

Ingredients:

Sugar (1 ½ tsp)
Mint leaves (handful, ~10)
Limes (1, chopped into small pieces reserving a slice for garnishing)
Ice cubes
Soda water to top

Method:

1. Begin by placing the sugar, mint leaves and lime into the bottom of a glass. Muddle them up, squashing the limes to release the juice and muddling in the mint and sugar so the mint smells strongly
2. Add ice to the top of the glass (or as desired)
3. Pour in soda water and garnish with a sprig of a mint and lime slice

 

This is one of our favourite ‘mocktail’ recipes from Great British Chefs. You can see the full recipe by clicking here. Expect light lemon and rosemary flavours complimented by a richer cranberry taste. This is a slightly more expensive mocktail to prepare, so invest in a botte of the lemon verbena if you think this drink will be featuring a lot on your menu this January.

 

Beetroot latte

If you like a glass of wine in the evening, try switching it for a coffee-free latte instead. We’ve recommended our beetroot latte here, but turmeric latte (or ‘golden milk’) and herbal teas can hit the spot too. The weather is definitely on your side with this one, because curling up with a hot drink on the sofa can be just as relaxing as that glass of red. Our recipe kit (including beetroot powder and recipe card) can be found by clicking here.

Ingredients:

Beetroot powder (2 tsp)
Ground ginger (1/2 tsp)
Cinnamon (1/2 tsp)
Honey or sweetener of your choice (1½  tbsp)
Hot water (1 cup)
Milk (1 cup)

Method:

1. Pour a little of the hot water into a saucepan and whisk in the spices until a thick paste is formed
2. Add the rest of the hot water, milk and honey, and stir through until the honey is dissolved and the spices are mixed through evenly and the drink is warm through
3. Pour into two cups and enjoy warm

 

Chai Tea

We find that drink making can become a bit of a ritual, so if you can make your own herbal tea and take some time with your own flavours, it might feel like a bit more of a treat than just using a tea bag.

Ingredients:
1 cinnamon stick
10 cloves
5 black peppercorns
6 green cardamom pods
1 tsp fennel seed
2 cups water
2 cups milk
4 tea bags (English breakfast is fine, Darjeeling better)
6 tbsp sugar

Method:

1. Take all the spices and heat them on a low heat for 1 minute or so, bruising the spices with a wooden spoon to open up the cardamom pods
2. Add the water and bring to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes
3. Remove the pan from the heat and add the tea from the teabags. Leave them to seep for five minutes, before adding the milk and sugar and placing the pan back on the heat.
4. Heat over a high flame for a few minutes until the tea is warm through and the sugar is dissolved. Strain the tea and serve warm.
5. We sell this recipe as a chai tea kit here which includes all the spices and a recipe card.

 

Elderflower Presse

This drink can be a great substitute for an alcoholic drink if you prepare it well. One of the biggest enjoyments of an alcoholic drink is in the presentation and the slow drinking process. If you can serve the drink with ice, garnishes, and fresh herbs or fruits, you can savour the drink for longer and really indulge in the experience. Make sure the glass is ice cold, either by placing ice in the glass for a while before tossing it away, or serving with ice. If you’re adding the elderflower cordial to your own sparkling water, make sure to not add too much elderflower or the drink can become overwhelmingly sweet. A less sweet drink is more likely to feel like a better substitute for an alcoholic one. We recommend serving with strawberries, mint, or lemon slices.

 

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What are your favourite non-alcoholic drinks? Let us know in the comments