Mocktail Season- do Dry January right!


Mocktail Season- do Dry January right!

Our Bar Manager, Felipe is taking part in Dry January this year, so we tasked him with creating the perfect Mocktail.
Plenty of our customers don’t or can’t drink, so Mocktail’s are the perfect alternative This time of year they are even more popular with people taking on the same challenge as Felipe.

The drink is based on a mojito and a julep, minus the alcohol, and it is really easy to make from home. Don’t forget to check out The Ava’s Mocktail range for further inspiration if cranberry isn’t your thing!

So Felipe, why have you chosen the Cranberry Smash?

“I have chosen apple and cranberry as a base alongside some cranberry sauce.  I hate wasting things, and I had loads of cranberry sauce leftover from Christmas, so it was the perfect way to use all of that up.”

Helpful Tip: Don’t feel restricted to Felipe’s recipe, you could use many other flavour combinations, for example; white grape and elderflower or orange and pineapple. It’s all about being creative and catering to what your tastes are!


Cranberry Smash

Cranberry and mint smashed together. So good you will forget there’s no alcohol!

Serves: 1          Prep time: 1-2 minutes

Allergies: Cranberry, Mint


ingredients

  • Equal parts Apple Juice & Cranberry Juice 75ml
  • Handful of mint leaves
  • 25ml Lemon Juice
  • 25ml Raspberry Sugar Syrup
  • Tablespoon Cranberry Sauce
  • Crushed Ice

Raspberry sugar syrup

Prep work

Sugar syrups are actually quite easy to make and can be used to sweeten food and drinks.

Serves:  1.5 cup         Cook time: 5-10 minutes          Cool time: 1 hour

ingredients

  • 2 cups caster or granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup raspberries

method

In a saucepan over medium heat bring the cold water, sugar and raspberries to the boil. It should become syrup-like with a nice red colour.

Once brought to the boil, turn the heat to low and stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely.

N.B The longer you boil the mixture the thicker your syrup will be when it cools. 

Allow to cool, for best results leave to steep for 1 hour, then strain.


crushed ice

Grab a dish cloth and place ice inside, wrap like a present. Get a rolling pin and bash ice until broken up into small shards. This is a great stress reliever, especially for those struggling through their Dry January challenge!


mocktail method

Add apple and cranberry juice into the cocktail shaker

Then add the lemon juice and raspberry sugar

Add the cranberry sauce, this adds depth to the drink

Finish by taking a hand full of mint and add to cocktail shaker- this adds a refreshing taste to the drink

Fill shaker with ice and now give it a good hard shake.

Double strain over crushed ice into a glass of your choice, I chose a tall glass, but it also works well in a wine glass.

Finish with a straw, raspberry, and a sprig of mint to garnish.

N.B: Add any vodka or gin to make a refreshing cocktail- but not recommended.

The finished product: The Cranberry Smash, so good you will forget there is no alcohol!

If you have enjoyed making Felipe’s Mocktail recipe we would love to hear from you. Please share or tag us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or email, make sure to use the hashtag #theavablogger to be featured! Click any of the pictures below to visit our social media pages.