The non-alcoholic, family-friendly party drinks full of summer flavours that won’t have you missing out on the fun
COOL AS A CUCUMBER
Adding cucumber to your mocktails adds a refreshing, savoury twist. Great alongside mint and lime, cucumber is also delicious with more floral ingredients such as elderflower. Use a vegetable peeler to create pretty, delicate slices – this will also help the flavours to fully infuse.
Cucumber & Elderflower Spritzer
Serves 4-6
- 1 litre sparkling elderflower
- Half a cucumber
- 4 sprigs of mint
- Use a vegetable peeler to cut half the cucumber into ribbons. Put them in a jug along with half of the mint leaves and 250ml of sparkling elderflower. Stir the mixture well, giving the mint and cucumber a bit of a press to release their flavours. Leave to steep for half an hour in the fridge.
- Strain the liquid through a fine sieve or muslin and discard the solids. Pour the remaining liquid into a large jug, along with lots of ice, the remaining cucumber ribbons and mint. Top up with the sparkling elderflower and stir well.
SUMMER FLORAL
Why not try elderflower in your mocktail to add a floral note to your drinks? Elderflower pairs perfectly with fruity seasonal berries such as raspberries and strawberries, giving a delicate floral flavour. Use sparkling elderflower to give a hint of fizz so you don’t feel like you’re missing out.
Elderflower & Raspberry Mocktail
SERVES 6
- 150g raspberries
- 1 tbsp icing sugar
- 1 litre sparkling elderflower, well chilled
- Orange zest to decorate
- Mash together the raspberries and icing sugar, cover and refrigerate for 20 mins to macerate.
- Sieve the raspberries to remove the seeds, pressing the flesh through the sieve with the back of a spoon.
- Divide the raspberry purée between 6 glasses and top up with sparkling elderflower. Peel thin strips of orange zest with a vegetable peeler and drop one into each glass to serve.
FEELING HOT HOT HOT
Perfect for a chilly evening under the stars, why not carry your mocktails into the evening. A perfect fruity night cap when camping or at the end of an alfresco dinner.
Hot & Herby Lemon
SERVES 1
- Half pint of near boiling water
- 30ml lemon squash
- Sprig fresh rosemary
- 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
You will need
- String or elastic band
- Add half a pint of near boiling water to a mug or heat proof glass with the lemon squash.
- Join a sprig of rosemary and three sprigs of fresh thyme with a piece of string or an elastic band and steep in the drink for at least three minutes, or until it’s cool enough to drink.
All recipes by www.rocksdrinks.co.uk