MERRY MOCKTAILS

IN THE SPIRIT

The holiday season is upon us. Whether we are celebrating with family or a small group or friends within our personal bubble, it's always a smart choice to have non-alcoholic beverages available. You don't have to sacrifice your creativity. Many of the same ingredients that add seasonal flavour and colour to holiday cocktails also contribute flavour and can lend a creative touch to our mocktail repertoire. We love cranberries, cape gooseberries and orange as festive fruit options and thyme and rosemary for seasonal scented herbs.

You can do other things to also contribute to making your holidays a responsible one. Larry Uteck NSLC Product Specialist Jakke Charni recommends, “if planning to host, involve a game that doesn't center around drinking. Having your guests partake often increases the laughter and cuts back on the refills.” If serving alcohol, Bayers Lake Product Specialist Roula Gavas suggests “having a rotating designated driver amongst your friends and family, so there is ALWAYS a driver to get them home safely! By rotating turns, it's always fair and pre-planned!”

Berry Rosemary Punch 6 to 8 Servings

1 L cranberry juice, chilled

1⁄3 cup rosemary syrup*

1⁄3 cup cranberries

1⁄3 cup cape gooseberries, leaves removed, optional

Directions:

1. Fill a punch bowl with ice.

2. Add cranberry juice and rosemary syrup.

3. Stir to mix.

* Place 1 cup sugar,

1 cup water and 3 sprigs of rosemary in a pot. Place over medium-high heat. When the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and let cool. After 20 minutes, strain to remove rosemary.

Sparkling Tangerine Mocktail 1 Serving

1⁄2 cup freshly squeezed tangerine juice

2 tbsp canned mandarin oranges

1⁄2 cup sparkling water

Directions:

1. Place the tangerine juice and mandarin oranges in a blender. Purée until smooth.

2. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve.

3. Serve in a champagne flute.

NEXT WEEK:

We craft some sweet, but low in alcohol cocktail ideas.