Mocktail Recipes for Dry January & Beyond

The new year brings an opportunity to create a new you, and for many people, that includes taking a break from alcohol or even quitting altogether. Its popularity has inspired hashtags (#DryJanuary and #SoberCurious) and broader movements that has even seen bars incorporate non-alcoholic options for customers who still want to experience social interaction while experimenting with being sober. 

This year, we’ve partnered with Baptist Health South Florida to create five mocktail recipes for those interested in Dry January but want fun, healthy options they can make and share with friends. Designed by Executive Chef Rod Knight from West Kendall Baptist Hospital, these drinks can be made in advance for parties or other occasions where you might want to have a drink in hand, but are committed to keeping your sober resolution. 

• Pineapple Strawberry Mojito
• Pineapple Ruta 
• Tarragon Thymer 
• Juniper Spritz 
• Hibiscus Sparkler

Pineapple Strawberry Mojito

Ingredients:

4oz pineapple, small diced

3oz strawberries (approximately 3 strawberries)

1 lemon wedge

5 leaves fresh basil

1 splash lemon juice

2oz unsweetened pineapple juice

1 splash sparkling water

1 splash lemon lime carbonated beverage

Directions for the mocktail:

1. In a rocks glass, combine the diced pineapple, lemon wedge,strawberries,and basil.
2. Muddle the ingredients, and equally divide the ingredients between three glasses.
3. Add ice to the glasses.
4. Add the next ingredients: pineapple juice, sparkling water, lemon juice, lemon-lime carbonated beverage.
5. Mix well.
6. Optional: Garnish with fresh basil, pineapple leaves, strawberries, lemon wheel.
7. Enjoy!

Pineapple Ruta 

Ingredients:

4oz pineapple, small diced

1 lemon wedge

1 sprig fresh mint

¼ tsp vanilla extract, non alcohol

½oz lemon juice

2oz unsweetened Pineapple juice

½oz sparkling water

½oz unsweetened coconut milk

2oz carbonated lemon-lime beverage without caffeine

Directions for the mocktail:

1. In a rocks glass combine: diced pineapple, lemon wedge, and mint.
2. Muddle the ingredients.
3. Add ice.
4. Add the next ingredients: pineapple juice, sparkling water, coconut milk, vanilla extract.
5. Mix well.
6. Optional: Garnish with fresh mint, pineapple leaves, cherry.
7. Enjoy!

Tarragon Thymer 

Ingredients

15oz bottled Water

1 bunch tarragon (fresh herb)

1 bunch fresh thyme

Approx 8 pods whole star anise

½ whole nutmeg

4 whole cloves

½tbps honey

carbonated tonic water

sugar-free ginger ale

For the Mixer Syrup: 

1. Heat a saucepan, on medium-high heat.
2. Once the pan is hot, add dried spices: nutmeg, cloves, and star anise.
3. Bloom the spices by keeping constant motion by gently shaking the pan.
4. Once you smell the spices, add the rest of the ingredients: tarragon, thyme, and water.
5. Reduce the liquid by half.
6. Remove from heat, strain into a container with a lid, stir in honey, and let cool (preferably in the refrigerator overnight).

Directions for the Mocktail:

1. Start by filling with a rocks glass with ice.
2. Add 3 oz of the tarragon mixer syrup.
3. Next add 1 oz carbonated tonic.
4. Finally add a splash of diet ginger ale.
5. Enjoy!

Juniper Spritz 

Ingredients 

1 cup water

3oz dried juniper berry

3 sprigs fresh rosemary 

5 ginger slices

1 cup cucumber slices

1 splash lemon juice

Lime wheel

Lemon wheel (2 slices)

2tsp honey

1 splash diet ginger ale

For the Mixer:

1. In a saucepan combine: water, juniper berries, rosemary, and ginger.
2. Bring to a simmer, DO NOT BOIL.
3. Remove from heat, and let cool. Add cucumber slices.
4. Let the mixture infuse overnight in the refrigerator.
5. Strain into another container.
6. Add honey.
7. Mix Well. Set aside.

Directions for the Mocktail:

1. Fill a rocks glass with ice along with a lemon wheel and a lime wheel.
2. Add 4 ounces of juniper mix.
3. Add a splash of lemon juice.
4. Add a half splash of lime juice.
5. Add a splash of ginger ale.
6. Mix well.
7. Optional: Garnish with a sprig of rosemary, juniper berries, lemon and lime wheels, and cucumber slices.
8. Enjoy!

Hibiscus Sparkler

Ingredients

24oz water

3/4oz dried hibiscus flowers (Flor de Jamiaca)

7.5 ginger slices

1 lime slice

1 small orange slice

1.5 cinnamon sticks

3/4tbs whole nutmeg

1.5oz lime juice (approx 1 lime yields)

1.5oz orange juice (approx ½ fruit yields)

3oz pomegranate juice, bottled

1.5oz lemon-lime carbonated beverage

For the Mixer

1. In a sauce pot, combine the first seven ingredients: water, dried hibiscus, ginger, lime slice, orange slice, cinnamon stick, and nutmeg.
2. Bring to a simmer for five minutes; do not boil.
3. Remove from heat, let cool and strain. Set aside.

Directions for the Mocktail

1. Fill a shaker with ice. Combine 3 – 4 ounces of the hibiscus mixer, splash of orange juice, splash of lime juice, and splash of pomegranate juice.
2. Shake.
3. Add ice, orange slices, lime slices, and pomegranate seeds (if available) to a pint glass.
4. Strain the mocktail into a glass
5. Add a splash of lemon-lime soda and a straw.
6. Enjoy!

While the sober curious movement typically attracts individuals who aren’t grappling with a clinical addiction to alcohol, it can reveal if you’re having difficulty quitting alcohol. This may signal the presence of an alcohol addiction. In this case, seeking professional assistance can be crucial for a safe and effective cessation of alcohol consumption. If you have questions about addiction treatment, our Recovery Advocates are available 24/7.