When I was pregnant with my firstborn, a July baby, I remember distinctly craving a frosty margarita. Cool, refreshing and just the right balance of sweet and sour. I learned how to concoct many a tasty mocktail creation that summer. But it doesn’t take pregnancy to make a mocktail great. Sometimes you just don’t want the heaviness of alcohol. You may be the designated driver. Or, maybe, like me now (!), you may just need a break from the nightly ritual of wine.
With mocktails in mind, I enlisted the help of my friends in the hospitality community to come up with some tasty beverages low in the liquor department, but high in taste. Of course, I am sure that you could spice these up with spirits if you so desired.
Mocktail recipes:
- Mango-Basil Lemon Drop, available at Relish Burger Bistro at The Phoenician Resort
- 1 oz. mango puree (or nectar)
- 2 basil leaves
- 2 oz. sweetened lemon juice (sweet & sour mix)
Shake and strain into a Martini glass with a sugar rim.
The Merry Berry Fauxito at Deseo at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
- 6 mint leaves
- 1/2 lime, cut into quarters
- 1 strawberry, cut into quarters
- 3 raspberries
- 4 blueberries
Place these ingredients into a glass and middle to release oils from the mint and juices from the fruit. Add ice to the glass. Add 1/2 oz simple syrup. Shake briefly to incorporate ingredients. Top with club soda. Garnish with sugar cane swizzle stick and serve.
Cucumber Lemonade at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
- 3 – 4 cucumber slices
- agave syrup, to taste
- lemonade (pre-mixed, or homemade)
- soda water, splash
Muddle 3-4 cucumber slices with a touch of agave. Fill glass with ice and lemonade. Top with a splash of soda – stir and enjoy!
Virgin Strawberry Mojito at Hotel Valley Ho
- club soda
- fresh mint
- fresh lime, sliced
- 4 raspberries
- simple syrup, splash
Muddle mint leaves and lime together. Add club soda, and a splash of simple syrup to taste. Garnish with raspberries.
Prickly Pear Smoothie at Boulders Resort & Spa
- 5 oz. prickly pear puree
- 1 whole Gala apple
- one ½ banana
- 1 whole peeled orange
- 6 oz. ice cubes
- ¾ tablespoon honey
Cut all ingredients into small pieces and place in blender. Blend on high speed for two minutes, serve with a strawberry garnish.
The Greatfruit Martini, available at Kai at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa
- ¾ oz lime juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- passion fruit-grapefruit elixir (equal parts passion fruit and grapefruit juice)
Combine all ingredients in a martini glass. Garnish with a fresh or dehydrated grapefruit slice.
What are some of your favorite summer sips? Inventive mocktails? Would love to hear about them !
