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Tropical Tingle

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Here’s a play on a tropical fizz:

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz pineapple juice
  • 2 oz sparkling water
  • 1 oz fresh orange juice
  • 1 oz elderflower syrup
  • A pinch of ground cinnamon
  • Ice cubes

Instructions:

Fill a shaker with ice. Add the pineapple juice, orange juice, elderflower syrup, and cinnamon to the shaker. Shake well to mix. Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice and top with your sparkling water. Stir gently and serve.

Garnish with a sprig of mint or slice of orange, if you’d like.

To change it up a bit, try different flavors of sparkling water. For example, substitute Passionfruit LaCroix or Pineapple Bubly.

The pineapple juice provides a sweet, tropical flavor, the sparkling water adds a light effervescence, the orange juice provides a bright and tangy flavor, and the elderflower syrup contributes a floral sweetness. The cinnamon provides a warming, spicy sensation that adds depth and complexity to the drink. Give it a try!

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the Reckless Accountant

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Wanting to create a shot showcasing the earthy taste of premium black tea, while also balancing it with the sweet and fruity taste of apple juice, we added complementary flavors including honey, ginger, and cardamom. We (optionally) elevate the presentation of the shot by incorporating a smoky applewood chips, and a cinnamon stick garnish. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz fresh apple juice
  • 1 oz black tea syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz honey syrup (recipe below)
  • 1/2 oz ginger syrup (recipe below)
  • 4 dashes of cardamom bitters
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • Applewood chips, for smoking (optional)
  • Ice

Instructions:

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the apple juice, black tea syrup, lemon juice, syrups, and bitters to the shaker. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds. Pour the cocktail evenly into two shot glasses. (Optional: Fill a smoking box or chamber with applewood chips and place two shot glasses inside. Ignite the applewood chips with a torch or lighter, allowing the smoke to fill the box and infuse the cocktails with a smoky aroma.)

Place a cinnamon stick over each shot glass as a garnish and serve.

This premium shot has a smoky and aromatic flavor, with the sweet and fruity taste of fresh-pressed apple juice, the earthy and slightly bitter taste of black tea syrup, the sweetness of honey syrup, and the spiciness of ginger syrup and cardamom bitters. The smoky aroma from the applewood chips creates an additional sensory element to the shot.

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Minty Agua Fresca

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Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Fresh Mint Leaves
  • 2 limes, juiced (approximately 3 tablespoons)
  • 6 cups filtered water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 cups fresh watermelon, cubed
  • Ice

Instructions:

In a small saucepan, heat two cups water and the sugar over medium heat until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.

In a blender: combine the cooled syrup, mint leaves, watermelon, and lime juice. Blend until smooth, and strain through fine mesh into a pitcher. Add the remaining water and chill in the refrigerator until cold.

Serve over ice and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a slice of lime.

This watermelon and mint cocktail is refreshing and perfect for hot weather. The combination of watermelon and mint is a classic one and is often used in summer drinks. The addition of lime juice provides a nice tartness and a balance to the sweetness of the watermelon and sugar.

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Margaritas

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The most basic version of a margarita consists of just three ingredients: tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Most soft margaritas end up being ridiculously sweet, so these recipes cut the sugar for more crisp freshness.

Version 1: Premium Original Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz fresh orange juice
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 – 1 teaspoon agave syrup (recipe below) (or pure maple syrup)
  • 5 drops pickle juice (optional, to taste)
  • 3-4 oz tonic water (or sparkling water)
  • Lime wedge for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

Cut a notch in a lime wedge and run the lime around the rim of you glass. Dip the edge into a plate of flaky kosher salt or Tajin. Fill the glass with ice. Add the lemon and lime juice and the syrup. Stir until combined. Add the tonic water. Stir gently. Garnish with the lime wedge and serve immediately.

The quinine in the tonic water adds a slightly bitter flavor and effervescence, the fresh fruit juice adds a citrusy crispness, and the optional pickle juice adds just a touch of salty spice that mimics the alcohol that we’ve removed.

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Version 2: Cranberry Blossom Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 – 1 ounce agave nectar (to taste)
  • 1 ounce cranberry juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange blossom water
  • Salt for rimming the glass
  • Ice
  • Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

Fill your cocktail shaker with ice. Add the lime juice, agave nectar, cranberry juice, and orange blossom water to the shaker. Shake the ingredients until well combined. Wet the rim of your glass with a lime wedge and dip it in salt to rim the glass. Fill the glass with ice. Strain the margarita into the glass. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a lime wedge if desired.

This margarita has a sweet and tangy flavor, with a hint of floral notes from the orange blossom water. The cranberry juice provides a touch of tartness, while the agave nectar adds a touch of sweetness. The salt rim and mint leaves complete the experience, making it a delightful mocktail that’s perfect for any occasion.

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Version 3: Hibiscus Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces fresh lime juice
  • 1 ounce hibiscus flower syrup
  • 1 ounce grapefruit juice
  • 1 teaspoon elderflower syrup
  • Salt for rimming the glass
  • Ice
  • Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

Fill your shaker with ice. Add the lime juice, hibiscus flower syrup, grapefruit juice, and elderflower syrup to the shaker. Shake the ingredients until well combined. Wet the rim of your glass with a lime wedge and dip it in salt to rim the glass. Fill your glass with ice. Strain the mocktail margarita from the shaker into the glass. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a lime wedge if desired

This margarita recipe adds a touch of floral flavor from the hibiscus flower syrup and the elderflower syrup, while the grapefruit juice provides a slightly bitter and tart flavor. The mint leaves add a fresh and herbal note to the drink, making it even more refreshing.

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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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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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the Freaky Beach Belle

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Perfect for those who want to transport themselves to a tropical paradise, this soft cocktail is both delicious and beautiful while simultaneously refreshing and indulgent.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz freshly squeezed pineapple juice
  • 2 oz freshly pureed mango
  • 1 oz coconut cream
  • 1 oz grenadine syrup
  • 2 oz club soda
  • Pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry for garnish
  • Ice cubes

Instructions:

In a blender, puree fresh mango until smooth. In a shaker, add the pureed mango, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and grenadine syrup. Fill the shaker with ice and shake for about 10 seconds. Strain the mixture into a hurricane glass filled with ice cubes. Top up the glass with club soda and stir gently. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry.

The combination of sweet and juicy flavors from the mango and pineapple, balanced with the creaminess of the coconut cream, creates a drink that is both refreshing and indulgent. The grenadine syrup adds a touch of sweetness and a pop of color, while the club soda provides the perfect amount of fizz.

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