The world of mocktails, now coming to be known as "zero proof cocktails," is a segment of the drinks market that is growing steadily around the world. These are essentially mixed drinks without the alcoholic component added in. Until very recently the world of mocktails was simply using various types of juices mixed together and/or syrup-based drinks. However, there is a growing demand for folks looking to enjoy grown up flavors without all of the negatives of having to drink alcohol.
Cold Brew Tonic
This refreshing drink combines the kick of caffeine supplied by a well-made cold brew with the cool, slightly bitter notes of tonic water. A highly sophisticated, yet refreshing drink that can be paired up with a number of garnishes to amp up both the appearance and flavor of the finished product. Add some ice to a glass and pour in two parts cold followed by one part tonic water, and garnish with citrus peel.
Taste: mildly bitter, refreshing
Prep time: 2 minutes
Calories : 50
Pineapple, Lemon and Mint Cooler
The secret to this incredibly simple drink is the flavor supplied by the lemon rind, the most aromatic part of the lemon. Simply blend together 1 cup chopped pineapple, 6–7 mint leaves, and a half cup ice until smooth. Then, add in two halved raw lemons and blitz for a few seconds, being careful not to over-blend and make the drink bitter. Finally, serve the delicious drink over additional ice.
Taste: sweet, tangy, and refreshing.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories: 100
Strawberry and Basil Tonic
Take advantage of the strawberry season with this fruity and incredibly refreshing drink! Hone your bartending skills, as you will need to use a common technique known as "muddling," wherein you will use a small, blunt object to crush the ingredients to bring out their flavors. Start by chopping up 2–3 ripe strawberries and adding them to a tall glass. Then, add in 5–6 small basil leaves and 1 teaspoon of lime juice. Use a mortar or even a fork to muddle the ingredients together until everything is crushed and the aroma of the basil is released. Top the mixture with ice and add tonic water as required.
Taste: sweet and tangy, with a subtle hint of basil that gives it a unique twist.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories: 100
Passion Fruit Iced Tea
Ditch the bottled stuff and make your own passion fruit iced tea using real fruits! Fresh passion fruits have become commonly available across most major Indian cities through retailers like Instamart. This drink also allows you to appreciate the crunchy texture of the passion fruit seeds. Start by cutting a passion fruit in half and removing all of the pulp. Then, brew 1-2 teaspoons of black tea leaves in hot water and sweeten it to your preference using simple syrup made from water and sugar in a 1:1 ratio. Chill the tea down and add in the passionfruit pulp and 1 tsp of lemon juice. Stir the mixture well and drink with a straw to enjoy the texture of the crunchy passion fruit seeds.
Taste: tart and tropical.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Calories: 50
Virgin Pina Colada
A classic Pina Colada is a sweet and rich drink that is really elevated by the quality of the ingredients you use. A full-fat coconut cream from a brand like Real Thai or Kara, in addition to ripe, sweet pineapples, makes all the difference! Combine 2 parts coconut cream, 2 parts chopped ripe fresh pineapple or canned pineapple, 1 part crushed ice, and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in a blender. Blend all of the ingredients together until you reach a smooth, slushy consistency. The blend of creamy coconut and sweet pineapple makes this drink a tropical paradise in a glass, and the addition of lemon juice adds a nice tangy touch that balances out the sweetness.
Taste: Rich and creamy yet refreshing
Prep time: 5 minutes
Calories: 250
Strawberry Faluda
This light and refreshing take on a faluda ditches the excess sugar and seviya, making for a drink you can enjoy at any time! Start by blending 2 parts full-fat milk, 2 parts chopped ripe strawberries, and simple syrup made from 1 part sugar and 1 part water until you reach a smooth consistency. Next, add 1 part crushed ice to the mixture and stir in 3 tbsp of basil seeds that have been soaked to yield half a cup in soaked form. The basil seeds add a fun and unique texture to the drink, while the sweet and creamy combination of milk and strawberries is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Taste: sweet and tart
Prep time: 15 minutes
Calories: 100
Vietnamese Iced Coffee
This classic coffee drink is sweet, indulgent, and perfect for the summertime! It works best with dark roasted coffee to get you that smoky flavor. Start by gathering your ingredients: 1 part coffee concentrate (such as espresso, cold brew, or good quality instant coffee), 2 parts condensed milk, 3 parts full-fat milk, and ice as required. Pour the condensed milk over the ice and let it settle at the bottom of your glass. Next, slowly pour the full-fat milk over the condensed milk to create a distinct layer. Finally, pour the coffee concentrate on top and let it settle to create a third layer. The combination of the sweet and creamy condensed milk with the strong coffee flavors is simply divine, and the layers add a fun and elegant touch to the drink. You can also add more ice as required and stir the layers together for a creamy and refreshing iced coffee treat.
Taste: smoky and sweet
Prep time: 10 minutes
Calories: 150