By Michele
Remember the days of the Shirley Temple? I do! It was a given when in my tweens and dining out with my parents that I got to feel all grown up. Why? Because after my parents ordered their alcohol beverages, I sat up proudly and ordered a Shirley Temple. Oh, how I loved the pretty pink color of that drink and its taste.
Fast forward to today, when dining out with my tween nieces they too proudly order Shirley Temples. That always brings me right back to a lovely childhood memory. However, now as an adult I worry about the amount of sugar and artificial color in that drink. Limiting the girls to only one, they often begged for a second. Sure, they were already hopped up on the sugar! Auntie had to gently tell them “No”!
Today mocktails have evolved. In fact, many restaurants are now featuring a mocktail menu. For your pleasure, I’ve created several that I’d like to share with you today and one that is a favorite of my nieces.
Mocktails and mocktinis make life so much more fun. Whether you're hosting a family-friendly party or looking for an afternoon treat, these refreshing drinks are packed full of flavors and are fun to make. So, go ahead and enjoy one, and turn an ordinary day into and extraordinary day!
Cheers!
Peach Bellini Mocktail
(Serves 2)
Ingredients
1 large peach, peeled, pitted and cut in chunks
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon water
Cranberry Lime Seltzer
Preparation
Place peach, sugar and water in blender and puree. Add half of puree to each glass, top with cranberry lime seltzer. Garnish with sliced peach and mint leaf
Blackberry and Kiwi Mocktini
(Serves 1)
Ingredients
1 large kiwi, peeled and chopped
¼ cup blackberries (approximately 10)
3 large mint leaves
2 teaspoons lemon juice
½ cup plain seltzer
Kiwi slice and mint leaf for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Place all ingredients in blender and puree until smooth
Add to martini glass. Garnish, if desired.
Pina Colada Mocktail
(Serves 1)
Ingredients
1 cup frozen pineapple chunks, and two extra chunks for optional garnish
1/3 cup Cream of Coconut (Crema de Coco)
½ cup orange seltzer or orange juice
½ teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon shredded coconut for garnish, toasted (optional)
Preparation
Place the first four ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into a tall glass, and garnish with pineapple chunks and toasted coconut.
Chocolate Mocktini
(Serves 2)
Ingredients
2 cups coconut milk,
2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
A pinch of sea salt
2 teaspoons sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla
Six ice cubes
Chocolate syrup
A square of hard chocolate, shredded on a paper plate
1 tablespoon shredded coconut, added to shredded chocolate plate, and mixed
Preparation
In a small saucepan, bring coconut milk to a boil. Turn off heat. Add vanilla, sugar, pinch of sea salt and stir. Add chocolate chips and continue to stir until melted. Transfer to bowl and refrigerate until cold, at least one hour.
When ready to serve, dab chocolate syrup onto your index finger and then onto the rim of the martini glass. Immediately turn glass upside down onto the shredded chocolate and coconut.
In a martini shaker add coconut chocolate mix, and ice cubes. Vigorously shake for about 25 seconds.
To the upright martini glass, add coconut chocolate mixture through the martini strainer. Serve immediately.
If you guessed, this is the mocktini my nieces love to this day! Of course, chocolate speaks to them like nothing else.
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