I tested mocktail recipes – my favourite uses frozen grapes & champagne flute…it feels like you’re drinking booze

MORE adults than ever are shunning booze and one in eight do not drink, or only very rarely.

Generation Z are leading the way, with many citing health reasons.

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But it need not kill the fun.

Free Spirited, by Colleen Graham, is a new mocktail book with perfect recipes if another orange juice or sparkling water fails to appeal.

Colleen said: “The no/lo alcohol lifestyle is booming, as consumers seek fabulous mixed drinks that skip the alcohol.

"It is time for a revolution which combines non-alcoholic ingredients to create sensational drinks that rival any boozy Martini or Old Fashioned.”

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Here, Colleen introduces five of her mocktails and Natasha Haring who rarely drinks, tries them and rates each out of five . . . 

• Recipes from Free Spirited: 60 No/Lo Cocktail Recipes For The Sober Curious, by Colleen Graham, £12.99 (HarperNonFiction).

Simple Syrup

Makes about 350ml

YOU NEED:

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• 400g white granulated sugar

METHOD: To make a standard batch of syrup, bring 250ml water to a low boil in a small saucepan, then stir in the granulated sugar until dissolved.

Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about five minutes before removing it from the heat and allowing it to cool completely.

When bottled (use a glass or plastic container with a tight seal) and refrigerated, the syrup can last for up to two weeks.

Virgin Bloody Mary

Serves 1

7

MAKING this from scratch keeps it fresh.

All you need are a few store-cupboard staples, tomato juice and some fun garnishes.

The blend of lemon, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, black pepper and hot sauce is perfect seasoning for the tomato juice.

Bottled tomato juice works fine, though canned is not great.

YOU NEED:

• 120–150ml fresh or bottled tomato juice
• 2 dashes hot sauce (Tabasco or Cholula)
• 15ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Dash Worcestershire sauce
• Pinch celery salt
• Pinch freshly ground black pepper
• Ice cubes
• 1 celery stick, pickle spear and lemon wedge, to garnish

METHOD: Pour the tomato juice into a tall glass and add the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, pepper and hot sauce.

Fill the glass with ice and stir well (don’t skimp on this – the ice dilution softens the tomato taste).

Taste and add a few more dashes of hot sauce, if you like, then garnishes.

Natasha says: My least favourite – too strong and spicy.

If I made it again, I’d put in less hot sauce and more ice.

Rating: 2/5

Perfect Mojito

Serves 1

7

AH, the mojito – one of summer’s favourite drinks. If you have fresh mint in your garden, you’re ready to go.

The mojito is nothing more than a sparkling drink with rum, mint and lime, and easy to make without alcohol – just skip the rum.

Use a zero-proof rum if you prefer but the drink is just as refreshing without it.

Toss a few berries into the muddle, or any other seasonal fruit. There really are no rules with the mojito.

YOU NEED:

• 1 lime, cut into 4 wedges
• 30ml simple syrup
• 10 fresh mint leaves, torn
• Ice cubes
• 120–180ml soda, tonic or sparkling water
• 1 fresh mint sprig, to garnish

METHOD: Place three lime wedges, the syrup and torn mint leaves into a highball glass.

Muddle well to release the citrus juice and mint essence.

Fill the glass with the ice, top with soda water then stir.

Garnish with the fourth lime wedge and the sprig of mint.

Natasha says: I love a mojito and this was easy to make. But I found the taste a bit too sweet.

I’d try it again but reduce the amount of syrup and add in more soda water.

Rating: 3/5

White Grape Sundowner

Serves 1

7

ONE of my favourites. I’ve made it for a couple of decades and it’s even more interesting today thanks to the non-alcoholic botanical spirit options.

I strongly recommend those with a floral or citrus dominance.

White grape juice is key, and you should find it at a decent supermarket. It is light, refreshing and sweet.

Try flavoured sparkling water or use the Sundowner to explore non-alcoholic sparkling wines.

The frozen grapes are the final piece to this drink – green or red work but I prefer green.

They keep your drink chilled and look fabulous.

YOU NEED:

• 5-6 frozen grapes
• 45ml zero-proof gin or non-alcoholic botanical spirit
• 90ml white grape juice
• 90ml flavoured sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling wine
• 2-3 fresh mint leaves, to garnish

METHOD: Place the frozen grapes in a white- wine glass or champagne flute.

Add the spirit and juice, and top with sparkling water or non-alcoholic wine. Add the fresh mint leaves as a garnish.

Natasha says: This looks so good and almost feels as though you’re drinking booze, as it’s served in a champagne flute.

It has a delicious, light flavour and is one I can see myself making again.

Rating: 5/5

Lemon Drop Martini

Serves 1

7

SWEET but tart, this is a taste sensation and an excellent dessert mocktail.

It needs a soft-flavoured, non-alcoholic botanical spirit to replace the vodka.

Seek out those with florals, such as lavender and rose, and a dominant citrus profile.

Avoid any with juniper or too many spices trying to replicate gin, as they overpower the lemon.

Essential are fresh lemon juice and simple syrup.

As a final touch, the sugared rim gives a candy vibe.

YOU NEED:

• 1 lemon wedge
• Granulated sugar, for the rim
• 60ml softly flavoured, zero-proof gin or non-alcoholic botanical spirit
• 30ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 15-20ml simple syrup
• Ice cubes
• 1 lemon slice, to garnish

METHOD: Wipe the rim of a cocktail glass with the lemon wedge.

Roll or dip the rim in a small dish filled with the sugar.

Pour the liquids into a shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, then strain into the prepared glass. Garnish.

Natasha says: I loved making this and it tasted just perfect. If you are a fan of more sour drinks, you’ll definitely enjoy it.

Rating: 5/5

Cranberry Basil Sangria

Serves 4

7

SANGRIA typically includes wine, but in non-alcoholic versions fruit juice does the trick. It’s a great jug drink.

This recipe uses cranberry juice, or use non-alcoholic wine.

Fresh or frozen cranberries work but do use fresh basil – easy to grow – and experiment with variously flavoured sparkling waters.

YOU NEED:

• 710ml cranberry juice (white or red)
• 120ml freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 apple, cored and sliced
• 100g cranberries, fresh or frozen
• 10g (packed) basil leaves
• 350ml sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• 3-5 cranberries, 1 orange slice and 1 sprig of fresh basil per glass, to garnish

METHOD: Combine the cranberry and orange juice, and sugar, in a jug and stir till the sugar dissolves.

Add orange and apple slices and cranberries.

Cover and place in the fridge overnight.

To drink, pour into ice-filled glasses, top with sparkling water and garnish as above.

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Natasha says: You must prep the night before – but refreshing.

Rating: 4/5