Dry January is the UK's one-month alcohol-free challenge, started by the charity Alcohol Change. There are many great physical benefits to going alcohol-free, and it can also be great for your mental wellbeing. The charity not only encourages the month long challenge, but also for the British public to be more considerate about what, and how often, they drink. Giving up alcohol doesn't mean you can't still enjoy some of your favourite drinks! We love a good mocktail, so much so that we have gathered quite a library of our favourite recipes. Here are some to get you started...
Alcohol-free Amaretto Sour
A classic cocktail, our alcohol-free version still hits all those sweet, sour and nutty flavours, without any of the alcohol used in the traditional version. And you can even make it vegan!
Ingredients
- 100ml pineapple juice
- 50ml lemon juice
- ½ egg white (substitute for 1 tbsp aquafaba if vegan)
- 15ml syrup from cocktail cherries, plus cherries to serve
- a few drops almond extract
Method
- Put the pineapple juice, lemon juice, egg white (or aquafaba), cherry syrup and almond extract into a blender
- Whizz the mixture a few times at a high speed, until it is pale and starting to get thicker
- If your blender is suitable for use with ice, add a few handfuls and pulse to chill the drinks. Alternatively, stir in the ice until the outside of the jug feels cold
- Pour into glasses and garnish with the cherries to serve
Strawberry & Lime Mojito
Deliciously sweet with a hint of lime, this mocktail is perfect for kids and grown-ups alike!
Ingredients
- 1/2 a fresh lime, juiced
- 1 large strawberry, sliced
- 6-8 mint leaves
- 1 tsp sugar or agave syrup
- 60ml coconut water
- 90ml club soda
- ice cubes
- Strawberry and mint leaves to garnish (optional)
Method
- Place the lime juice into a glass. Add sliced strawberry and lightly mash with a spoon
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Add mint leaves into the glass and gently 'muddle' (press on the leaves to release flavour but try to not crush or tear them)
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Stir in 1 tsp sugar (or agave syrup), add more to taste. Stir coconut water into the glass
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Add ice then fill up the glass with club soda
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Garnish and serve
Sidecar Mocktail
A sophisticated mocktail that is bound to impress! Hitting both sweet and earthy flavour profiles that the original cocktail is loved for.
Ingredients
- 50ml cold lapsang souchong tea
- 50ml lemon juice
- 1 tsp marmalade
- ½ – 1 tsp honey (substitute for 1 tsp agave if vegan)
- ice (as desired)
- slice dried orange (optional)
Method
- To make dried orange slice garnish: Heat your oven to 140C (120C fan) and line baking sheets with baking paper. Slice your oranges thinly and spread out on the trays. Bake for 45 mins - 1 hour, turning halfway. Leave to cool
- Put the cold tea, lemon juice and marmalade in a cocktail shaker and stir to break down the marmalade so it starts to dissolve. Stir in the honey (or agave) then add the ice
- Shake well, until the outside of the shaker feels cold, then strain into a chilled glass. Serve as it is or garnish with a slice of dried orange