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Mai Tai

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A Mai Tai is a classic cocktail made with rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, and almond syrup. To create a non-alcoholic version, try this recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz orange juice
  • 1 oz pineapple juice
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 1 oz Orgeat
  • 1/2 oz grenadine syrup
  • Splash soda (if desired)
  • Ice cubes

Instructions:

Fill a shaker with ice. Add the orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, orgeat, and grenadine to the shaker. Shake well to mix. Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice. Stir gently and serve.

In this non-alcoholic Mai Tai, the orange juice provides a citrusy flavor, the pineapple juice contributes a tropical sweetness, the lime juice provides tartness, the orgeat adds a floral nuttiness, and the grenadine provides a little sweetness and color. Add a splash of soda to lighten it up a bit, if desired.

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Long Island Iced Tea

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A Long Island Iced Tea is traditionally made with vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, and cola, with a splash of lemon juice. To create a lower-alcoholic version, try this recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1 oz pineapple juice
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • 1 oz orange juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • 1 oz cola (or club soda)
  • Ice cubes
  • Orange slice and cherry for garnish

Instructions:

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Fill shaker with ice. Add all ingredients except the cola. Shake well to mix, then pour the mixture over the ice in your glass. Top with cola. Stir gently, add your garnish, and serve.

This soft Long Island Iced Tea has a similar flavor profile to the classic cocktail, but without all the alcohol. The lemon juice provides tartness, the simple syrup adds sweetness, the cranberry and pineapple juice contribute fruity notes, and the cola provides a bit of fizz and caffeine. Enjoy, and let us know what you think in the comments below!

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Lincoln’s Queen

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Perfect for those who want to enjoy the complexity of an alcohol-based cocktail without the alcohol, Lincoln’s Queen is both refreshing and balanced with the subtleties of fresh herbs and bitters.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz club soda
  • 2 dashes of orange bitters
  • 2 sprigs of rosemary
  • 1 grapefruit slice for garnish
  • Ice cubes

Instructions:

Muddle 2 sprigs of rosemary in the bottom of a shaker. Add freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and orange bitters to the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake for about 10 seconds. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice cubes. Top up the glass with a splash club soda and stir gently. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit and a sprig of rosemary.

The combination of sweet and tart flavors from the grapefruit and simple syrup, balanced with the bitter notes from the orange bitters, creates a well-rounded and refreshing drink. The use of rosemary adds an herbal complexity that complements the other flavors. The carbonation from the club soda provides a lively mouthfeel, mimicking that of an alcohol-based cocktail.

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the Kisses of Gnomes

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For these shots, we were inspired by the traditional flavors of chai tea. We wanted to create a shot that was both somewhat familiar and exciting, with a well-balanced flavor profile that would appeal to a wide range of tastes. Finally, the different layers of flavor and texture in the shot make it both visually appealing and delicious to drink, making it a great choice for your celebrations.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. chai tea concentrate
  • 1 oz. pomegranate juice
  • 1 oz. vanilla syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz. almond milk
  • Cinnamon powder
  • Star anise

Instructions:

Fill two shot glasses with equal portions of the chai tea concentrate and pomegranate juice, creating two separate layers. Carefully pour the vanilla syrup on top of the pomegranate juice, being careful not to disturb the other layers. Slowly pour the almond milk on top of the vanilla syrup, creating a swirl effect. Sprinkle a generous amount of cinnamon powder on top of each shot. Place a star anise on top of each shot for added color and aroma (for looks and scent–do not eat star anise whole).

This shot combines the warm and spicy flavor of chai tea with the tart and sweet flavor of pomegranate juice. The vanilla syrup adds a touch of sweetness and creaminess, while the almond milk provides a smooth and nutty flavor that balances the spiciness of the chai tea. The cinnamon powder adds a touch of warmth and depth to the shot, while the star anise adds a touch of flare and aroma that complements the other flavors.

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Just Call Me Ecstasy

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We envisioned a drink that would be warming and cozy, with a hint of exotic spices and a touch of sweetness. The combination of ginger and cardamom provides a complex and interesting flavor profile, while the vanilla adds a creamy, smooth and sweet taste to the drink. The final result is a mocktail that’s perfect for your special occasion.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz ginger syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz cardamom syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz vanilla syrup (recipe below)
  • 4 oz soda water
  • 2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • a dash of angostura bitters
  • ice
  • lemon wheel and edible flower, for garnish

Instructions:

In a mixing glass, add the ginger syrup, cardamom syrup, vanilla syrup, lemon juice, and nutmeg. Stir well to combine. Add soda water and a dash of angostura bitters, and stir gently to combine. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel and an edible flower. Serve and enjoy!

This drink features the warm and spicy notes of ginger and cardamom, paired with the sweet and creamy vanilla. The lemon juice adds a bright and tart contrast, while the nutmeg and angostura bitters add depth and complexity. The soda water provides a light and refreshing quality, making it perfect for sipping on a warm day.

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Green Tea Maple Flip

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A flip is a traditional type of cocktail made from a whole egg, sweetener, and spirit or wine. The egg acts as an emulsifier, blending the ingredients together and giving the drink a rich, smooth texture.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz brewed jasmine green tea, chilled
  • 1 oz pasteurized egg whites or egg substitute
  • 1 oz fresh lemon or lime juice
  • 1 oz pure maple syrup
  • 2-3 fresh mint leaves, torn
  • Ice
  • Star anise, for garnish

Instructions:

In a cocktail shaker, combine the chilled jasmine green tea, pasteurized egg whites or egg substitute, fresh lemon or lime juice, maple syrup, and torn mint leaves. Dry shake the mixture for about 10 seconds to emulsify the egg. Add a handful of ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for about 10 more seconds to create a frothy texture. Strain the mixture into a chilled rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a star anise and a sprig of fresh mint.

In this version, the sweetener is pure maple syrup, and the spirit is replaced by jasmine green tea, which provides a delicate, floral flavor and aroma. The citrus and mint add brightness and complexity, while the star anise garnish is a nice touch adding another extra layer of aroma and flavor to the drink.

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Gold Rush Manhattan

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A classic cocktail featuring whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters; the Manhattan is zhuzh-ed up here, removing the liquor while adding some “grandeur” to this sophisticated, upscale alternative.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
  • 1 oz freshly squeezed blood orange juice
  • 1 oz vanilla simple syrup (recipe below)
  • 2-3 dashes of peach bitters
  • Blood orange wheel, for garnish
  • Edible gold flakes, for garnish

Instructions:

Fill a shaker with ice. Add the cranberry juice, blood orange juice, vanilla-infused simple syrup, and peach bitters to the shaker. Shake well to mix. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass. Express the blood orange wheel over the drink to release its essential oils, then use it to garnish the drink. Sprinkle a few edible gold flakes over the drink for a touch of elegance. Serve immediately and enjoy.

This Soft Manhattan is a sophisticated, upscale version of the classic cocktail. The use of blood orange juice adds a bright, juicy flavor and a striking, reddish-orange color. The vanilla-infused simple syrup provides a sweet, floral flavor, and the peach bitters provide a fruity, floral aroma. The edible gold flakes add a touch of elegance and glamour, making this drink perfect for a special occasion or an upscale event.

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Grapefruit Groove

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This cocktail is inspired by the classic gin and tonic, a popular cocktail that is typically made with gin, tonic water, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
  • 2 oz club soda (or tonic water)
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz mint syrup (recipe below)
  • A pinch of ground cardamom
  • Ice cubes

Instructions:

Fill a shaker with ice. Add the grapefruit juice, lime juice, mint syrup, and cardamom to the shaker. Shake well to mix. Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice, and top with club soda. Stir gently and serve.

The grapefruit juice in this cocktail provides a similar tart, citrusy flavor as the gin in a gin and tonic, while the club soda adds a light, effervescent quality similar to the tonic water. The lime juice, mint syrup, and cardamom all contribute their own unique flavors and complexities to the drink, making it a well-balanced, delicious non-alcoholic cocktail that has its own distinct character and flavor profile.

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