4 mocktails to help you finish dry January

Just because you’re abstaining from alcohol for Dry January, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on delicious drinks

It's the January 31 - you did it! You survived the first month of the year, yet another 30+ days spent in lockdown and most importantly; you made it to the end of Dry January.

Well done you. Whether you lasted the entirety of the month without touching a drop of alcohol or you succumbed to those temptations on January 6 doesn't matter, the fact is you gave it your best shot and that should be rewarded.

But before you go reaching for that bottle of fizz, how does a thirst-quenching, refreshing mocktail that tastes just like the real thing (only without the hangover) sound? We know, where were these delicious recipes at the start of January! If partaking in Dry January this month has completely transformed how you see alcohol or you just fancy a day off the booze, these mocktails are great alternatives for evening tipples and virtual happy hours. 

Created by various restaurants across the country, these 4 recipes will meet all of your mocktail needs. 

AIMSIR CHERRY

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 250g cherries, fresh or frozen

• 3 tsp honey

• 3 tsp pink peppercorn

• 2 tsp dry rose petals

• Tonic water

Method:

1. Take the 250g of cherries and heat them slowly until it starts to simmer.
2. Add the honey and simmer for 15 minutes. Do not boil. When the consistency starts to loosen, turn the heat down and add the pink peppercorns and infuse for 10 minutes.
3. Take the mix off the heat and finish with the dry rose petals. Let the mix could down to room temperature and then strain the liquid.
4. Move to the fridge to cool.
5. For serving You will need 2 champagne glasses and a bottle of tonic water. Fill half of each glass with the homemade cherry juice and then top off with the tonic water.

Recipe courtesy of Majken Bech Bailey, restaurant manager at AIMSIR.

JAPANESE GARDEN

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 25ml Ceder’s Crisp
• 20ml Yuzu Puree
• 20ml Fresh Lime Juice
• 20ml Matcha Green Tea Syrup  
• 100ml Rice Milk

Method:

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake with ice for 15 seconds
2. Pour cocktail into a Collins Glass
3. Top with Ice
4. Garnish with a slice of dehydrated orange and a sprig of lavender

Recipe courtesy of Ariel Sanecki, head mixologist at Adare Manor.

SEEDLIP ROYALE

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 30ml Seedlip Aromatic
• 15ml Elderflower Cordial
• 15ml Lime Juice
• Fresh Mint (approx 5 leaves)
• Alcohol-free sparkling wine to top up (approx 100ml)

Method: 

1. Combine all ingredients except for the sparkling wine into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously.
2. Strain into a champagne glass of your choice (coupe, flute or tulip).
3. Top up with sparkling wine.
4. Garnish with citrus zest.

Recipe courtesy of The River Club.

MR. JEFFARES VIRGIN BRAMBLE

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 25ml Lemon Juice
• Splash of Sugar Syrup
• Crushed Ice
• Ice Cubes
• Two splashes of Blackcurrant Juice
• 250ml white lemonade

Method:

1. In a cocktail shaker add lemon juice, sugar syrup, white lemonade and ice cubes and shake well.
2. Strain over the crushed ice in an old fashion rock glass, drizzle blackcurrant juice over the top so it bleeds into the drink.
3. Enjoy! 

Recipe courtesy of Faithlegg.

READ MORE: The surprising ingredient that makes Dry January a breeze