Who said that mocktails can’t be pretty and satisfying?
Oh, it was probably me several years ago.
Fortunately, I can admit when I’m wrong, or in this case mistaken and unwilling to see other options.
Such as this citrus spritzer – one of the simplest and most delicious drinks, perfect for a sunny summer day. There are a multitude of variations – infinite really – that can be crafted in similar fashion. Begin with some freshly-squeezed citrus (here I used orange). Add some simple syrup, made of honey or sugar boiled with water and whatever flavorful additive you’d like to try (here I used some ginger coins). Then top with club soda or a complementary seltzer – in this case I used a grapefruit sparkling water. Garnished with some orange peel, it was heaven in a few sips.
If ginger syrup is your accent flavor, lemon and orange work wonderfully, depending on whether you want something more tart or slightly sweeter. I’ve tried a mint syrup with lime to approximate a mojito with mixed results, and a wildly successful hibiscus tea with honey and a grapefruit seltzer. Turns out there’s a hibiscus-flavored La Croix that I will try for another round, and that could very well be the signature mocktail for this tumultuous year, when it’s just me and Andy enjoying the backyard. It’s the perfect time to experiment with refreshment.
