WINE & SPIRITS

Turn a Cocktail Into a Mocktail

How to put a non-alcoholic twist on your favorite poolside beverage.

By Lyndsay Fogarty

It’s summertime, and there’s nothing like sipping on a cool, refreshing drink poolside. Make one for the adults then turn it into a mocktail for the kiddos so everyone can enjoy a taste of summer.

When you think about the cocktails that are best savored poolside or while lounging on the beach, fruity drinks probably come to mind. The best part about these cocktails is that they’re easy to turn into mocktails for the people in your life who can’t or just aren’t interested in drinking alcohol. That includes the kids, too, so everyone can get in on the fun.

Frozen drinks are typically the go-to for mocktails. Pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris are just like smoothies when you omit the alcohol. You can even go all out by mixing the two together for an alcoholfree Miami Vice. Similarly, when you make a mudslide without the vodka, Kahlua and Bailey’s, you’re left with a chocolate shake. Be sure to decorate the glassware with a rim of sugar for virgin pina coladas and daiquiris and a swirl of chocolate for virgin mudslides to make them feel like true mocktails.

Frozen may be the usual route, but cocktails served on the rocks can work just as well. Mixers for these types of cocktails typically include a mixture of fruit juices or a combination of club soda and flavored simple syrup. While these sweet concoctions taste great when you include vodka, tequila or your favorite liquor, they can stand on their own as a refreshing mocktail without them.

The possibilities for turning your favorite cocktail into a mocktail are endless.

Watermelon Paloma Courtesy of the Watermelon Board

Serves 2

Cling to summer just a little bit longer with this refreshing, watermelonbased cocktail. Make it a mocktail by adding extra juice or club soda to replace the tequila.

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 ounces silver tequila • 1/4 cup grapefruit juice • 1/2 cup cubed watermelon • 1 cup watermelon juice, frozen in ice cube tray (optional) • 2 teaspoons agave nectar • 1 tablespoon lime juice • Varied amount club soda • Varied amount kosher salt • Sprigs mint or basil for garnish • Two wedges watermelon for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Pour a generous amount of salt on a small plate. Line the rims of two glasses with lime juice and gently dip the rims into the salt. Combine the silver tequila, grapefruit juice, watermelon and agave in a cocktail shaker. Use a muddler to mash the watermelon with the rest of the ingredients. Add ice and shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Carefully add ice cubes of choice to the glass and, using a strainer, pour the tequila mixture over the ice. Top with club soda and garnish with mint or basil and a small watermelon wedge.