3 Summer Mocktails

As we head into late summer, we're looking beyond the bar for fresh drink ideas that can be enjoyed by guests of all ages at the season's get-togethers. For non-alcoholic alternatives to our standby cocktails, we turned to a new book on our shelf: Mocktails, Cordials, Infusions, Syrups and More. With more than 80 recipes, this volume offers up lively drinks packed with seasonal fruits and unexpected spices. The three drinks below-- one sweet, one sour, and one herbal-- are sure to be crowd pleasers at your next warm weather gathering. 

Elderflower & Berry Cup
Serves 4
1 1/4 cups mixed berries, such as raspberries, strawberries (hulled), and blueberries
1/2 cup elderflower cordial
Sparkling mineral water
Elderflowers, to garnish

Divide the berries between the holes of an ice cube tray and top up with still water. Freeze for 2 hours, or until frozen. Unmould the ice cubes into a large pitcher or 4 tall glasses and pour in the elderflower cordial. If made in a pitcher, let sit for 10 minutes before serving to tint the liquid a delicate pink. Top up with sparkling water, garnish with a few elderflowers, and serve. 

Minty Ginger Granny Smith
Serves 1
4 Granny Smith apples, cored but not peeled, then cut into chunks
4-8 sprigs of fresh mint
A chunk of fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

Push half the apples through a juicer, followed by the mint, ginger, and lime juice. Juice the remaining apples and serve. 

Citrus Fizz
Serves 2
5 oranges, halved horizontally
1 red or pink grapefruit, halved horizontally
2 lemon quarters
2 large scoops of lemon sorbet
Sparkling mineral water, chilled

Use a citrus press or hand-held juicer to squeeze the juice from the oranges and grapefruit. Pour the juice through a strainer into 2 tall glasses and add a squeeze of juice from a lemon quarter into each one. Add a large scoop of lemon sorbet to each glass and top up with chilled sparkling mineral water. Serve with a long handled spoon.

Recipes and photos from Mocktails, Cordials, Infusion, Syrups and More, Ryland Peters & Small, 2016.