……….Something for the Non-Drinkers
Are you in need of a little inspiration for a summer party or BBQ and what non-alcoholic drinks to serve?
We have reached July, the end of the school term is in sight and thoughts of summery activities are swimming into view, so you may already be on the look out for some interesting drink/cocktail ideas to keep guests and family happy.
Here are some simple & refreshing mocktail recipes that should appeal to all taste buds! These drinks will also serve to keep you well hydrated and the ingredients are made up of a lot of healthier choices too.
So, without further delay, “Get ready to blend!”. (You will also need a sturdy pitcher and don’t forget to fill all your ice cube trays!).
- Summer Cup Mocktail
This is a vibrant, summer in a glass drink!
Ingredients:
- Half a cucumber cut into slices
- 1 sprig of mint
- A few frozen red berries
- 120ml sparkling lemonade
- ice
Optional garnish:
- a few more frozen berries, chopped fruits, cucumber slices, mint
Instructions:
Chop the cucumber and mint sprig into small pieces. Bring 200ml water to the boil in a small pan and then add the mint and cucumber. Turn off the heat and leave for 2 mins. Add a small handful of frozen berries, let them defrost for a minute, then crush them lightly with the back of a spoon. Strain the mixture. (This will keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours and will be enough to make about four drinks).
Pour 40ml of your strained mixture into a tall glass. Add a handful of ice and top up with 120ml lemonade. Garnish with whatever chopped fruit you like or some more frozen berries and mint leaves if you have them. Stir gently to combine.
2.Piña Colada Smoothie
This piña colada smoothie is like a tropical vacation in a glass! It is creamy, fruity, and very easy to make. Plus, it is vegan, gluten & dairy-free too!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of frozen pineapple chunks
- 1/4 of a cup of canned coconut milk
- 1/4 of a cup of unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Put all the ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth and frothy
3.Sparkling Cherry Lemonade
This summer drink is incredibly refreshing and has the perfect combination of sweet and tartness all in a glass of sparkly goodness. All you have to do is pit the cherries and throw everything else into the blender. And if it’s speed you need, you can also use ready pitted frozen cherries to make it even faster!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
- 3/4 of a cup of lemon juice
- 2/3 of a cup of sweetener/sugar
- sparkling water
Instructions:
- Combine the cherries, lemon juice and sweetener in the blender until smooth
- Pour into your pitcher and place in the refrigerator until nicely chilled
- Serve with lots of sparkling water over ice
- Peach Iced Tea
You can make this unsweetened or sweetened depending on your preference. This iced tea is light, flavourful, wonderfully refreshing and it’s also rather easy to make!
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe peaches, sliced
- 8 cups water
- 2 tablespoons of sweetener or sugar
- 2 large tea bags
- 1 cup torn basil leaves (optional)
Instructions:
- For the peach puree put the sliced peaches, 1 cup of water and the sugar into a saucepan. Bring to the boil, reduce and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Remove from the heat and let it cool. Once cool, puree further using a blender
- Bring the remaining 7 cups of water to the boil, put the tea bags and basil leaves into a large pitcher and pour the boiling water over them. Steep/let it stand for about 5 minutes then remove both the tea bags and the basil leaves
- Finally, add the peach puree to the pitcher and stir well
- Refrigerate until nicely cold and serve over lots of ice
Enjoy!
Hopefully, some of these fruity mocktail beauties will impress your guests – they will certainly add plenty of colour to your table and people will definitely feel that they are getting a treat!
