Zero Proof Cocktails for Dry January

It’s important to have zero-proof cocktails on hand for those who choose not to drink. Something better than a glass of club soda will make your guests feel more welcome and add to your sales. Here are a couple of alcohol-free recipes to get you started.

Low Tide

1 oz pineapple juice

1/2 oz passionfruit nectar

1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

1/2 oz DHOS Bittersweet (Get it at Amazon $26)

1 lime wedge (garnish)

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, with ice. Shake vigorously and pour into a tall glass. Pack with more ice. The drink should sit below the rim of the glass like low tide. Garnish with the lime wedge.

Florida – Georgia Cooler

2 lemons, juiced

2 limes, juiced

1 lemon, sliced

1 lime, sliced

peach nectar

lemonade

sliced strawberries

sparkling water

Put the lemon juice and lime juice into a large pitcher. Add the sliced lemon and lime, and a handful of ice cubes. Add peach nectar to fill about one-third of the jug and top up to fill with lemonade. Add strawberries and top with a little club soda.

Not drinking tonight? Try these two delicious mocktails!

It’s always important to have alcohol-free options for those who choose not to drink alcohol for their own reasons (or because they are under 21).   These two are very popular with Fun Coast Bartending clients and I used them at a pool party over the weekend.

Lifeguard (AKA Safe Sex On The Beach)
1 oz peach nectar
2 oz cranberry juice
3 oz orange juice
Pour all ingredients over ice in a tumbler.  Stir or shake and enjoy!

Montego Bay
This one looks and tastes delicious.
1/2 oz grenadine
1 oz sour mix
1 oz orange juice
club soda
Pour grenadine in the bottom of a long glass.  Add ice, then pour in equal parts of sour mix and orange juice.   Stir gently then top with club soda.  You should see three distinct layers.  Garnish with a cherry.

Remember to have alcohol-free selections for New Year’s Eve

For many different reasons, your New Year’s Eve guests will want alcohol-free options.  Go past bottled water and Pepsi with these festive year ending “mocktails”.

New Year’s Eve Sparkler
3 oz cranberry
2 oz ginger-ale
squeeze of lemon
Pour over ice and stir.

Nojito
1 lime, juiced
1 tsp sugar
6 mint leaves
Sprite®
In a tall glass, squeeze in lime juice. Add sugar and mint leaves. Crush with a muddler or a long spoon. Fill with ice and top with Sprite. Give it a nice stir and enjoy.

Summer Breeze
Orange Juice
Sour Mix
Sprite®
Mix equal parts orange juice and sour mix over ice. Add a splash of Sprite.

Rail Splitter
2 tsp simple syrup
1 lemon wedge
ginger-ale
Pour simple syrup over ice.  Squeeze in lemon juice.  Balance with ginger-ale and stir.  

A 1/2 Dozen Delicious Solstice / End Of The World / Christmas / Winter Drink Recipes

‘Tis the season!  I have a couple of private parties coming up and wanted to share some delicious recipes that I will be using.   Maybe you can add one to your celebration!  No cocktail (martini) glasses?  Serve them on the rocks.

Old Silk Hat
1 1/2 oz blended whiskey
1/2 oz cherry brandy
Juice of 1/4 fresh lemon

Shake well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with a skewered lemon slice and cherry.  Don’t be surprised if your guest begin to dance around. 

Kris Kringle Cocktail
1 oz white creme de cacao
1 oz peppermint schnapps
1 oz heavy cream

Shake well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with chocolate shavings. 

Mayan Icicle
1 1/2 oz tequila
1/2 oz blue curacao
1/2 oz triple sec
juice of 1/2 lime

Blue sugar (available in gourmet food stores or just make your own with some blue food coloring)

Rim a chilled cocktail glass with the blue sugar.  Shake ingredients well with ice and strain into prepared glass.  Garnish with a lime wheel.   

Fuzzy Stocking
1 1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz creme de cacao
1/2 oz peach schnapps
1 oz half & half

Shake well with ice.  Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with a twist of orange peel. *Modified from a tequila recipe*

Alcohol Free Poinsettia

2 oz cranberry juice
3 oz ginger-ale
squeeze of lemon

Build over ice in a tall glass.  Garnish with a sprig of mint, if desired.

Red Garland Cocktail (Alcohol Free)

3 ounces cranberry juice
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
1 ounces orange juice
1 slice lime

Pour the cranberry juice and lime juice over ice and shake well. Strain into a large wine glass.  Splash with orange juice and place the lime slice on top.

Looking for more holiday drink ideas?  Click here to search my blog for more!

Holiday Drink Recipe: Red Garland (Alcohol Free)

Red Garland Cocktail

3 ounces cranberry juice
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
1 ounces orange juice
1 slice lime

Pour the cranberry juice and lime juice over ice and shake well. Strain into a large wine glass.  Splash with orange juice and place the lime slice on top.

Alcohol Free Poinsettia

It’s the holiday party season and some of your guests will appreciate alcohol free options beyond a seltzer with a lime.  Try this out!

Alcohol Free Poinsettia

2 oz cranberry juice
3 oz ginger-ale
squeeze of lemon

Build over ice in a tall glass.  Garnish with a sprig of mint, if desired.