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At RSA Melbourne, we know hospitality and responsibility behind the bar go beyond pouring a beer or lending a sympathetic ear. Everyone should be able to enjoy a colourful, sparkling cocktail or mocktail. If mocktails aren’t your speciality, then this blog entry is for you.
The joy of mixing a refreshing, non-alcoholic drink is a skill that must be learned. There are many situations when a virgin pick-me-up is the way to go. Restrictions can arise when dealing with children, people with medical constraints, expectant moms or the blessed soul who is the designated driver. Some mocktail constructions are as simple as leaving out the alcohol, while others require a bit more finesse. But as with many great cocktails, to make these drinks requires intuition, a shaker and a blender.
The royal family of wholesome beverages starts at the top with the virgin daiquiri. Following in the steps of the red queen comes the Shirley Temple. Rounding out the royal court: the virgin margarita, the all-orange-juice screwdriver, iced or hot teas and coffees, sodas, and the ever-popular water (shaken, not stirred). Without straying too far from convention, let us share some top picks.
Here are three easy-to-make and fun-to-drink mocktail versions of standards.
The Collins Cooler
You’ll need: Collins glass, two celery stalks, ice, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, spicy bitters and club soda.
Chop one celery stalk and blend with ice until reasonably pureed. Pour puree over ice in a Collins glass and mix one part lemon juice, one part simple syrup and two dashes of spicy bitters. Stir until mixed and top with club soda. Garnish with the remaining celery stalk.
The Fauxjito
You’ll need: Pint glass, 10 mint leaves, crushed ice, lime juice, simple syrup and club soda.
Start by muddling half the mint leaves in the ice. Mix two parts lime juice and one part simple syrup over the muddled mint leaves. Add the remaining mint leaves and fill the glass with ice. Top with club soda and stir twice. Garnish with mint or lime.
The Watermelontini
You’ll need: Martini glass, seedless watermelon cubes, small seedless watermelon wedge, one lime, lemon-lime flavoured coconut water and ice.
Place watermelon cubes in a blender and liquefy. Pour into a shaker filled with ice, and then pour an equal part lemon-lime coconut water into the shaker. Squeeze the juice of the lime half into the shaker. Shake and strain into the martini glass. Skewer a lime wedge and watermelon wedge to garnish.
Enjoy.
