Zero-alcohol drinks that still feel like a cocktail
A glass of juice at a party can make a non-drinker feel left out. What makes a cocktail feel like one is mostly a bit of bitterness, sourness or spice, and a proper glass. Every drink here has no alcohol, and each one tries to give you that. Tonic water brings the bitter edge. Lime, kokum and tomato bring the sour and savoury notes. Cardamom, pepper and ginger add heat. You will find a No-groni, a Faux G&T and a Faux Old Fashioned here, along with Indian ideas such as a Sol Kadhi Spritz.
The drinks
mocktailFaux G&Ttonic water · lemon · cardamom · black pepper
mocktailNo-gronicranberry juice · grape juice · tonic water- mocktailFaux Old Fashionedapple juice · maple syrup · cinnamon · cloves
mocktailFaux Hot Toddyhoney · lemon · cloves · cinnamon
mocktailVirgin Mojitomint · lime · sugar · soda water
mocktailVirgin Marytomato juice · lemon · Tabasco · black pepper · celery- mocktailVirgin Green Marycucumber · celery · lime · green chilli · coriander
mocktailVirgin Piña Coladapineapple juice · coconut milk
mocktailserves 4Virgin Sangriagrape juice · orange juice · orange · apple · cinnamon · lemon soda (Sprite/7Up)- mocktailVirgin Paan Mojitopaan leaves · gulkand · lime · soda water
- mocktailHoney Ginger Tonictonic water · honey · ginger · lime
mocktailElaichi Santra Tonictonic water · orange · cardamom · honey- mocktailCoconut Toniccoconut water · tonic water · lime
- mocktailElderflower Cucumber Tonicelderflower syrup · cucumber · tonic water · lime
mocktailKokum Sharbat Spritzkokum syrup · tonic water- mocktailSaffron Sweet Lime Tonicsweet lime (mosambi) · saffron · honey · tonic water
- mocktailSol Kadhi Spritzcoconut milk · kokum syrup · soda water · curry leaves · black salt
- mocktailStrawberry Elderflower Spritzstrawberries · elderflower syrup · lemon · soda water
mocktailPeach Nannari Sparklenannari syrup · peach · lime · ginger · soda water- mocktailGinger Lime Fizzginger · lime · sugar · soda water
- mocktailCranberry Sparklercranberry juice · lemon soda (Sprite/7Up) · lime
mocktailShirley Templelemon soda (Sprite/7Up) · rose syrup / grenadine · lime
mocktailRoy Rogerscola · rose syrup / grenadine
mocktailArnold Palmerblack tea · lemonade
Questions
Is there any alcohol at all in these?
None of the recipes uses spirit, wine, beer, bitters or anything else with alcohol as an ingredient. If you are strict about it, check the labels on bought syrups and sodas, as these vary by brand. Tonic water is ordinarily alcohol-free.
How do I make it feel like a real drink?
Use a good glass, plenty of ice and a garnish, as you would for anyone else. Chill the tonic or soda well, and pour it slowly so it keeps its fizz. Serving the drink in the same glass as everyone else helps more than you would think.
What can I swap if I don't have an ingredient?
No maple syrup for the Faux Old Fashioned? Use the same amount of honey. No elderflower syrup? Try a little honey and an extra squeeze of lime. It will taste different, but still good. The Virgin Mary is fine without Tabasco if you want it mild.