Cocktail and Mocktail Recipes for the Whole Family

By 2018-12-20 23:26:08

Take a ride to sip central

What does a Pina Colada, Mango Mule and a Mojito have in common? They're all super delicious drinks that the whole family can enjoy! Whether you're looking for something boozy or alcohol-free, we've got the drink for you! Here are five cocktail and five mocktail recipes perfect for whiling away the remainder of our summer nights:

Cocktails

1. Whisky Sour (with Hibiki)

Source: Serious Eats 

You don't have to use Japanese Whisky (Hibiki), but its light and simple flavor makes the classic Whisky Sour a little more palatable without making that "Whisky Stank Face."

Ingredients (serves one)

  • 1/2 oz Japanese whisky
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrupc
  • cocktail cherry (optional)

What's next?

1. Pour the 1/2 ounce of Whisky into a glass.

2. Add the lemon juice, half an ounce of simple syrup and stir well (this can be strained through or served with ice). 

2. Watermelon Martini

The Watermelon Martini is plenty fruity but it's got a cold bite, making it ideal for chilling out in warmer seasons. It's also remarkably simple with just three ingredients.

Ingredients

  • watermelon
  • 1/12 part vodka or gin
  • 3/4 part simple syrup

What's next?

1. Muddle the watermelon in a shaker.

2. Add vodka or gin and syrup.

3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake before straining into a glass.

3. Tinto de verano

Source: Three Many Cooks  

Literally translated from Spanish as "red wine of summer," the Tinto de verano is ridiculously easy to make. It tastes like a bare-bones sangria and is quite popular in its native country of Spain.

Ingredients

  • 1 part red wine
  • 1 part carbonated lemon drink (Sprite, 7-Up, La Casera, etc.)
  • Ice (optional)
  • Rum (optional)

What's next?

Add the carbonated lemonade drink to the red wine. Ice is optional, as is additional rum if you want to pack an extra punch!

4. Champagne Mojito

We're staunch advocates of the classic Mint Mojito, but this is an excellent remix if you're looking for something slightly different. This can also be kid-friendly by replacing the alcohol with soda water or tonic water.

Ingredients (serves six)

  • 1/4 cup mint
  • 1/4 cup thai basil (optional)
  • Sugar (table sugar or simple syrup)
  • 2 limes, cut into wedges
  • Rum or vodka
  • Champagne, Cava or Prosecco

What's next?

1. Muddle the mint, thai basil, 3 tablespoons of sugar and lime wedges in a pitcher – not so hard that it obliterated the mint and basil though! Just enough to release the beautiful fragrance.

2. Add your ice and pour 1 cup of rum or vodka over it. 

3. Top this up with a bottle of Champagne, Cava or Prosecco (to taste). 

4. Garnish with lime wedges, more mint and/or basil leaves.

5. The Frida

Named after the legendary Frida Kahlo, this drink is quickly rising up our "favorite brunch cocktails" list. We prefer this simple variation of the recipe, but the amount of fruit and herbs you can add is up to your personal preference!

Ingredients (serves 1)

  • 4 Plums
  • 6-8 small thyme sprigs
  • Champagne/Cava/Prosecco

What's next?

1. Peel, slice and stone the plums.

2. Pick off the leaves from thyme sprigs and add them to the plum pieces. Blend both until smooth.

3. If the thyme flavor is overly dominant of the plum, or vice versa, adjust to taste.

4. Strain the purée through a sieve to remove the grit.

5. Pour three tablespoons of the purée into the bottom a glass. 

6. Pour the Champagne, Cava or Prosecco over the top slowly and stir.

Mocktails

1. Mango Mule

Source: Girl in the Little Red Kitchen

The Mango Mule is a well-rounded refreshment – with cucumber, mango, lime and a touch of ginger ale – ideal for getting through a hot day.

Ingredients (serves 1)

  • 4-5 slices of cucumber
  • 1 oz honey
  • 1.5 oz mango puree
  • 1.5 oz fresh lime juice
  • Ginger beer
  • Ice
  • Shaker

What's next?

1. Blend your mango into a purée in a blender.

2. Muddle the sliced cucumber and honey in a shaker and pour the purée and lime juice over it. 

3. Add ice to the mix, cover and shake for 10 seconds.

4. Strain this mixture into a cup and top with ginger ale.

2. Lavender Lemonade

Enjoy this fresh, herbal twist on a classic summer staple: lemonade.

Ingredients (serves four)

  • 6 cups water
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup dried lavender
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice

What's next?

1. Bring water and honey to boil in a large pot. 

2. Crush the lavender in a mortar and pestle, or in a bowl.

3. Add the crushed lavender to the pot and remove from the heat.

4. Cover, refrigerate and steep for at least two hours. 

5. Strain the liquid through a sieve into a pitcher.

6. Stir in the lemon juice and serve over ice.

3. Lemongrass Jasmine Iced Tea

Iced tea is essential for the summertime and this iced tea will win you over; a Southeast Asian take on a timeless drink.

Ingredients (serves one)

  • 4-5 pieces of cut lemongrass
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup (Vanilla flavor optimal)
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice
  • 4 oz Jasmine tea
  • 2 oz lychee juice

What's next?

1. Add the lemongrass, simple syrup, lemon, jasmine tea nad lychee juice into a shaker. 

2. Shake with ice and double strain the drink into a glass.

3. Serve with on ice.

4. Yushi Fizz

The elderflower and Yuzu juice combination works wonders in this airy beverage.

Ingredients (serves one)

  • 3/4 oz Yuzu juice
  • 1 1/2 oz simple syrup (try making Shiso simple syrup with this!)
  • 1 barspoon of Elderflower Cordial
  • 2 oz soda water

What's next?

1. Add the Yuzu juice, simple syrup and elderflower cordial to a shaker.

2. Shake with ice!

3. Add the soda water and stir.

4. Double strain the liquid into a glass and serve with ice.

5. Pina Colada Slushie

We had to throw in a Pina Colada recipe. A beach favorite for both kids and adults, this drink is delicious with and without alcohol. 

Ingredients (serves two)

  • 2 frozen bananas
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple, cut into chunks
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 2 cups of ice
  • Pineapple wedges for garnish (optional)

What's next?

1. In a blender, combine the frozen banana, pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, ice and coconut milk. Blend away.

2. Pour the mixture into glasses and garnish with some fresh pineapple wedges.

Looking for more moreish recipes? Check out our round-up of sangria variations and delicious fruit pops.

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