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Cheers To Refreshing Mocktails

Bring On Fun, Fizzy Non-Alcoholic Mixed Drinks

Often called virgin cocktails or temperance drinks, modern-day mocktails are most welcome for all and are becoming their own category. Suffice it to say, the concept of Shirley Temples has come a long way since being invented in the late 1930s! They even incorporate more than cherries these days. A bartender at Chasen's in Beverly Hills reportedly created the special drink for the actress during the pinnacle point of her fame. Want a sweeter sip from these featured recipes? Simply swap sparkling water or seltzer with lemon-lime soda.

Apple Cider Mule Mocktail

ingredients:

  • 3 cups apple cider (apple juice isn't the best substitute, but pear cider can be applied for a different twist)
  • 1½ cups ginger ale
  • 1½ cups plain seltzer water (or orange-flavored seltzer)
  • 2 large apples, thinly sliced (or pears if going that route)
  • ½ cup pomegranate arils
  • ½ cup frozen cranberries

directions:

  1. In a pitcher or punch bowl, stir together the apple cider, ginger ale and seltzer. It’s best if all ingredients are chilled ahead of time. 
  2. Add in sliced apples or pears and pomegranate arils. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  3. Just before serving, add the frozen cranberries or garnish with fresh or dried apple slices and cinnamon sticks (not ground cinnamon).
  4. Serve in glasses with ice or slightly warmed in mugs.

Bonus:  Apple and pear slices also become delicious flavor bombs to eat at the end of the drink.

Pom-Pom Spritz

ingredients:

  • 2 ounces 100% pomegranate juice
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice or high-quality orange juice
  • 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 2 ounces sparkling water or seltzer
  • Ice, for serving

Garnishes (Optional): pomegranate arils, lime or orange slices, frozen cranberries, fresh mint, or fresh rosemary

directions for a single serving:

  1. Fill an 8-10 ounce glass halfway full with ice. Add pomegranate juice, orange juice and lime juice to glass. Stir well to combine.
  2. Pour seltzer/sparkling water over the juice mixture and top with any desired garnishes.

ingredients for a pitcher (1 quart):

  • 12 ounces pomegranate juice
  • 6 ounces orange juice
  • 3 ounces fresh lime juice
  • 12 ounces sparkling water or seltzer

ingredients for a punch bowl (1 gallon):

  • 6 cups pomegranate juice
  • 3 cups orange juice
  • 1 1/2 cups lime juice
  • 6 cups sparkling water/seltzer

directions for pitcher or punch bowl:

  1. Fill pitcher or punchbowl 1/3 to 1/2 full with ice; add pomegranate juice, orange juice and lime juice. Stir well to combine.
  2. Pour seltzer/sparkling water over the juice mixture and adorn with any desired garnishes.

Additionally, non-alcoholic cocktails can be made simply from fruit syrup, such as strawberry, cherry, peach, crème de banana, blood orange, huckleberry, coconut, raspberry or passion fruit over ice. With a little creativity, there's a sweet-tart mocktail for every taste.