As the excesses of the festive season start to fade and the sobering idea of kick-starting the year in a healthier way begins to dawn, we’ve racked our brains for some cracking ideas to keep those taste buds tingling this January, without piling on the pounds.
Whether you’re all-in with a Dry January or just trying to cut back on the school night drinking a bit this year, we’ve come up with a couple of lip-smackingly delicious non-alcoholic cocktail ideas to help keep the party going this January, whilst leaving the hangover and guilt at the door!
Pomegranate Nojito
Much like its boozier brother, this is always a crowd pleaser and a super cool winter cocktail. If you’re doing a spot of entertaining or want a cheeky lunchtime cocktail, plan ahead and make the ice cubes the day before and you can knock this one up in seconds.
Ingredients
3 tbsp pomegranate seeds
A big bunch of mint
2 limes, quartered, plus some wedges to garnish
1lt pomegranate juice
500ml lemonade
- Ahead of time, divide the pomegranate seeds between the holes in an ice cube tray, fill with water and freeze.
- Tear up half of the mint, saving the other half for garnishing, and put into a jug with the lime quarters.
- Add the pomegranate juice and lemonade.
- Put your pomegranate ice cubes into glasses and pour over the strained (use a sieve) pomegranate mix.
- Garnish with lime wedges and fresh mint.
Mockgarita
Dry January, tick. Veganuary, tick. No rancid taste of tequila in your mouth the morning after, tick.
Ingredients
1/4 avocado
5 coriander leaves
1/4 lime, juiced
1/4 lemon juiced
25ml fresh orange juice
25ml apple juice
Method
- Muddle the avocado and coriander in the bottom of the glass.
- Squeeze in lemon and lime.
- Add ice, orange juice and apple juice.
- Shake well.
- Serve over ice.
London Dry Gin and Tonic
OK ok so not technically alcohol-free and arguably exploiting a Dry January loophole, this wintery Dry Gin and Tonic recipe is, at least, relatively low calorie and everything in moderation right?!
Ingredients
25ml London Dry Gin
25ml Sloe Gin
Slimline or Low-Calorie Tonic
Slice of Orange
Method
- Fill your fave G&T glass with ice.
- Add the dry and sloe gins.
- Top up with tonic.
- Garnish with a slice of orange.
- Savour every sip!
