5 Non-Shit Mocktails To Have When You Need A Break From The Booze

Take it from someone who has very recently had a shocker of a two-day hangover: mocktails are cool. In fact, at this very moment in time, I can’t think of anything less appealing than a beverage with an alcoholic percentage of above about -5.

The thing is though, more often than not the only mocktails on offer at the generically crappy chain bars we usually spend our Friday and Saturday night in are pretty boring. There’s very rarely much to choose from beyond coke, sprite and water, and of the few booze-free bits that do make it to the menu few promise to quench that very specific thirst that a rum-heavy cocktail will.

So, in the spirit of taking a night off the hard stuff every once in a while, and that beautifully foreign feeling of waking up on a Sunday without a hangover, we’ve whipped up some legit delicious alternatives to some of our favourite summer cocktails that you can make in the comfort of your own home. Here’s what to swap and make instead.

1. Swap Your Mojito For A Blueberry No-hito

There are very few ingredients in a classic mojito. It’s literally rum, lime and mint. So instead of trying (and failing) to trick yourself with a simply rum-less version, replace the rum with another fruity flavour like blueberries for something that’s just as fun for your taste buds.

**You’ll need: **

**How to: **

Muddle (bar speak for mixing and mushing) a few mint leaves, the brown sugar and three or four slices of lime in the bottom of a glass. Top with crushed ice and soda water and give it a stir. Throw a little handful of blueberries in and a splash of lime cordial and voila, you have a blueberry no-hito.

2. Ditch The Aperol And Tequila For A ‘Spritz At Sunrise’

Aperol Spritz is a hard one to replace, but we’ve found a happy compromise somewhere between an Aperol and a Tequila Sunrise that is, surprisingly, just as pleasant to sip as the nation's favourite aperitif. Guilt free refreshment this way…

You’ll need:

**How to: **

Fill a glass 1/3 of the way with orange juice. Add a tablespoon of rhubarb syrup (if you can’t find the fancy pre-made stuff, you can always use two tablespoons of the syrup left in the tins of chopped rhubarb you can get for super cheap at the supermarket) and stir. Fill the glass wit ice and pop three slices of fresh orange inside. Then, top that 2/3 of the way with soda water, and then to the top with some alcohol-free sparkling wine. We used the Sainsbury’s one which actually tastes way better than you’d expect it to. Garnish with a stick of actual rhubarb if you can and use it to give the drink a little stir. This actually makes a difference here because you'll be able to taste the extra 'barb.

3. Can’t Fault A Classic Colada

Okay, this is very much what all the kids on holiday at all-inclusive resorts in Spain drink. But there’s no shame in that, my friends. Sometimes you just need a bit of pineapple and coconut in your life, and that’s okay. (But also, when you are ready for the booze again you can totally just slip some rum into this recipe).

You’ll need:

**How to: **

Pop a handful of frozen pineapple, a handful of ice, sugar, juice and frozen pineapple in a blender and, erm, blend.

If you don’t have a blender though, swap the frozen pineapple for fresh and combine all the ingredients in a separate glass. Mash the pineapple chunks a bit to release the juices and give the whole thing a good shake until it’s nice and foamy. Pour into another glass over some crushed ice and pretend you’re on a beach somewhere and not in your grass-less back ‘garden’.

4. You Won’t Even Realise You’re Not Drinking Pimms

‘Non-alcoholic Pimms, you say? That really tastes like actual Pimms, you say?’. Sceptics, beware. You’re in for a treat.

You’ll need:

**How to: **

First, you’re going to brew yourself a strong iced tea. Pop a tea bag into a mug and pour in just enough boiling water to cover, add a teaspoon of brown sugar and set aside for about 10 mins or so to allow to brew. Then, remove the teabag and pour into a glass already filled with ice, slices of strawberries, cucumber, mint leaves and orange. Top with lemonade and revel in the fact that it’s almost as good as the real deal.

5. Definitely Not A Margarita…

Okay, this one isn’t a margarita. It doesn’t taste like a margarita because tequila is a really bloody hard flavour to recreate. BUT, this bitter delight of a beverage is super refreshing and if you can serve it in a sugar rimmed glass you’ll even out the tartness of the lemon and lime and look really fancy while you sip it.

You’ll need:

The key with this one is to serve it really, really cold. So, if possible, keep all of the ingredient and the glass in the fridge for a while beforehand. When you’re ready to make it, run the inside of a slice of lime around the rim of a glass. Pour some caster sugar onto a plate and dip the glass into the sugar to create a nice, even circle across the top of the glass. Fill with crushed ice and squeeze over the juice from the rest of the limes. Fill the glass 1/3 of the way with orange juice and top with your still lemonade.

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Follow Jazmin on Instagram @JazKopotsha

This article originally appeared on The Debrief.