5 Delicious and Easy Mocktail Recipes To Help You Celebrate Dry January
Whether you’re giving up alcohol for a dry January challenge, or you’ve never cared for the taste of booze anyway, you don’t have to stick to soda and water this month. Mocktails are a tasty and creative way to celebrate the winter season and join in on the fun of a mixed drink. Even if you’re not teetotaling this month, take note! Adding these bright, inclusive beverages to your drink menu will be appreciated by anyone who chooses not to drink alcohol, whatever the reason.
Our promise to you? These mocktails will never be boring. The key is having a good balance of flavors. So, before you begin concocting mixtures in an attempt to find the best blend of flavors, check out these mocktail recipes.
‘Pearagon’ Lemonade
The word I’d use to describe this “pearagon” lemonade is “complex” — and I mean that in the best way. I loved testing out this recipe designed by Q Mixers, and enjoyed the flavors of fresh lemonade with a twist of tonic and tarragon. I couldn’t find pear nectar or pear juice at my local grocery store, but I did find a can of guava juice, which worked perfectly. (Guava is reminiscent of pear, and added a delicious tropical zing.)
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces pear nectar or pear juice
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- Leaves from 2 sprigs fresh tarragon
- 6 ounces Q Spectacular Tonic Water (Buy from Target, $3.99)
Directions: Shake the first four ingredients with ice and strain into a tall glass with ice. Top with 6 ounces of Q Spectacular Tonic Water and garnish with a pear slice and more fresh tarragon.
Spiced Ginger Plum
I opted out of testing this recipe, as I’m allergic to plums. However, the ingredients look delicious. If you’re searching for a mocktail that’s fresh and rich in flavor, this is the one to try. The ginger ale and brown sugar simple syrup will add just the right amount of sweetness, and the lemon juice and plum will give it bright and tangy notes. The spiced warmth of the ground cardamom is the perfect topper.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 fresh red plum
- 3/4 ounce brown sugar simple syrup
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- Pinch of ground cardamom
- 3 ounces Q Ginger Ale (Buy from Acme or your local grocery store, $3.50)
Directions: Add the first four ingredients to a shaker and muddle until smooth. Shake with ice and strain into a coupe or martini glass and top with 3 oz Q Ginger Ale. Garnish with a slice of fresh plum.
Black Cherry Southside
The Black Cherry Southside, designed by Waterloo Sparkling Water, reminded me of sweet Italian ice. This drink was tart and bright, and the black cherry flavor stood up to the lime juice. The mint leaves were such a delicious add-on that I left all of them in my glass. (If this recipe is a little too tart for you, try adding ¾ ounce of simple syrup or quick-dissolving cane sugar – it did the trick for me!)
Ingredients:
- Waterloo Black Cherry Sparkling Water (Buy from Target, $3.99).
- 3/4 ounces fresh lime juice
- 4 mint leaves
- Fresh black cherries
Directions: In a shaker add lime juice, mint leaves, and ice. Shake well to dilute citrus and wake up the mint. Then strain into a martini glass and top with Waterloo Black Cherry. Garnish with a mint leaf and black cherry.
Spicy Paloma
If you’re the adventurous sort, a spicy paloma is an excellent choice. Waterloo’s grapefruit flavored sparkling water is strong enough to blend with the lime juice, all while letting the jalapeños shine. If you like a little zing but not a ton of spice, remove the seeds from your jalapeño slices before popping them in your drink.
Ingredients:
- Waterloo Grapefruit Sparkling Water (Buy from Instacart, $4.24)
- 3/4 ounces fresh lime juice
- 2 to 3 slices of jalapeños
- Pinch of salt
- Grapefruit wedge and a jalapeño slice
Instructions: In a shaker, muddle jalapeños then add lime juice, salt then ice. Shake well and strain over fresh ice in a glass. Top with Waterloo Grapefruit and garnish with grapefruit wedge and jalapeño slice.
Piña Mojito
I love classic mojitos, but whenever I’ve tried mojito mocktails, they don’t quite do it for me. They’re simple enough to begin with — so I think they need a little bit more body and flavor. That’s where the pineapple in this piña mojito comes in. The pineapple sparkling water gives the drink a sweet and tropical taste without the sugar. (But if you are craving a little sugar, ¾ ounce of simple syrup or quick-dissolving cane sugar will give it just the right amount of sweetness.)
Ingredients
- Waterloo Pineapple Sparkling Water (Buy from Target, $3.99)
- 3/4 ounces fresh lime juice
- 4 mint leaves
- Wedge fresh pineapple
- Fresh mint sprig
Instructions: In a highball glass, muddle fresh mint and lime juice. Add ice to glass and top with Waterloo Pineapple. Give it a good stir and finish with a pineapple wedge and mint sprig for garnish.
Hopefully, these tasty treats will help you enjoy your dry January challenge — but they’re also fantastic year-round! Looking for more mocktail recipes? Take a look at these fall-inspired mocktails that you can also enjoy any time of year.
