The topic for this months Recipe ReDux is “Beverages Are Hot” – That which is served in a mug, glass, or stein is becoming just as interesting as what’s on the plate. New cocktail-only blogs are emerging. Pinners are cooking with their Keurig K-cups. Hot beverages have gone way beyond hot cocoa. Beverages are in! Whether you’re serving something hot or cool, kid-friendly or happy hour worthy, show us your healthier drink.
Make your next party or dinner gathering exceptional for drinkers and teetolers alike with a tasty mocktail. To take your drink from average to special, combine crisp flavors, a splash of colour and a festive garnish. Some of the benefits of going for a mocktail:
– Fewer calories: The average mixed drink made with a tot of rum, vodka or whiskey and juice or a fizzy drink clocks in at over 200 calories. Times that by two or three over the course of the evening, it adds up quickly. Check out Enlightened Happy Hour – a great interactive infographic to compare your alcohol choices. Mocktails, especially those flavored with just a splash of juice and a sparkling water base, can cut the calorie count down to just 50 calories while still providing plenty of flavour. But, not all mocktails are low in calories. Watch out for anything with more than 60ml juice and any added sugar per serving.
– Less expensive: alcohol is expensive, whether ordering out or making at home, mocktails cut out the most expensive ingredient, the booze.
– Higher in nutrients: Mocktails made with fresh juices such as pomegranate, orange, lime or cranberry boast plenty of antioxidants and vitamin C and none of the sucrose found in fizzy drinks or syrupy drink mixers. A handful of sliced fruit, for subtle flavour, or diet-friendly sweeteners can be used in place of sugar or simple syrup to sweeten your drink.
– Everyone can enjoy them: Pregnant women, people taking certain medications or with chronic illnesses, designated drivers, children…
- ¼ cup cranberry juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 150 ml sparkling water
- crushed ice
- lime slices, to garnish
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Pour crushed ice into a shaker.
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Add cranberry juice, fresh lime juice and sparkling water.
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Shake to combine.
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Strain carefully into 2 chilled martini glasses.
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Garnish each glass with a lime slice.
Cheryl x
Geez these look refreshing. Plus, anything involving martini shakers and martini glasses is just fun:)
We have a variety of apple here in Australia called “Pink Lady”, so I was expecting this to be an apple drink. Pleasantly surprised with the cranberry/lime combo – delicious!
Oh really, I must google it and check it out! This recipe is essentially a version of a virgin cosmopolitan – I just though Pink Lady sounded fancier 😉
Ha ha yes it does! Pink Ladies are actually my favourite variety of apple – both tart and sweet
I often find mocktails are far too sweet for me, too much fruit juice, sugar and syrups..This turned out tart and refreshing, I hope you enjoy it! Cx
These look so lovely and refreshing. I’m not a fan of sweet drinks, so this looks like just the combo for me.