BEER MOCKTAIL RECIPE

 
Mocktail recipe: image shows a hand reaching to a yellow drink in a short sugar rimmed glass, a pineapple leaf and yellow flower garnishing the top.
 

Last weekend was super hot here in the UK,so making this mocktail was the perfect way to stay cool and refreshed. This non-alcoholic cocktail - a twist on The Matthew mocktail - combines the totally summery flavours and fizz of alcohol free beer, fizzy lemonade (AKA Sprite or the equivalent) and pineapple juice. Sweet from the lemonade, slightly tart from the pineapple, with a hint of bitterness from the zero-proof beer, this thirst-quenching summer drink has the perfect balance. And it’s so pretty too!

SOME MOCKTAIL HISTORY

Did you know that non-alcoholic beverages mimicking cocktails have been around since the 1800s? They were known as ‘Temperance drinks’ in the first American cocktail recipe books, including Jerry Thomas’s 1862 handbook, The Bar-Tender’s Guide! The term ‘mocktail’ appeared a little later, with Miriam Webster noting the first known use of the term in 1916.

The most famous mocktail is probably the Shirley Temple, a ridiculously sweet and oh so delicious concoction of ginger ale with a splash of grenadine, created in the 30’s and named after the child actress. It’s the holiday drink I turned to every summer throughout my primary school days and one I adore to this very day!

Since then dozens of other mocktails appeared, with classics such the Virgin Bloody Mary, the Virgin Pina Colada (SO good!!!!) and many more. Nowadays mocktails are making a comeback, as more and more people are taking a step back from alcohol consumption and exploring different ways of drinking delicious mixes whilst being sober curious! As someone who’s been T-total her whole life, it’s been SO fun seeing many more people and as a result many more bars, bar tenders and mixologists design sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktails.

In order to make a great mocktail, there needs to be a good, balanced combination of flavour profiles to replace the little kick one experiences when drinking their alcoholic counterparts . Here are the main flavours to keep in mind, along with some ideas for ingredients to use when experimenting.

MOCKTAIL 101 FLAVOURS

Sweet

  • sugar syrup, agave syrup, molasses, fruit syrups, sugar or fruit juices

SOUR

  • acidic ingredients such as citrus, cranberry, tomato, vegetable juices, kombucha and even a touch of vinegar

Bitter / Astringent

  • grapefruit, coffee, cocoa, strong black tea, cloves, cinnamon. (Bitterness and astringency in drinks will imitate the effect of alcohol on our palate and as a side note, are a flavour I LOVE!)

SPICY

  • chilli, jalapeno, hot sauce, wasabi, ginger (another element that brings a sensation of drinking alcohol due to the warmth it creates)

Salty

  • olives, brine, sea salt

Texture

  • Not really a flavour, but texture is also important to a good mocktail as it slows down sipping! You can add texture with fizz (soda, tonic etc), sugary or salty rims or blended/muddled fruit.

DECORATION

  • Ok so this is not a flavour either, but still a MUST on any noteworthy cocktail. Edible flowers, salty, sugary or spicy rims, cute ice cubes, funky and colourful (plastic free) straws, fruit and vegetables, olives etc.

Top tip!

Use a tall glass to preserve fizz for longer, especially in a beer based cocktail like the one I share below ;)

Have some fun coming up with interesting combos, or just go for my easy, delicious and super refreshing mocktail below. If you make it and share it on social media don’t forget to tag me @thelittleplantation!

refreshing mocktail recipe

A slight twist on The Matthew

Preparation time: 3-5 min

Serves: 1-2

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup alcohol free beer (I used Lucky Saints)

1/3 cup lemonade/Sprite

1/3 cup pineapple juice

Ice

Mint sprig, pineapple leaf/slice or edible flower to garnish

(please note the flower in the photo is NOT edible and was used only for food styling purposes).

Lime juice and sugar (optional, to rim glass)

INSTRUCTIONS

To make your mocktail extra fun and fancy, rub or brush lime juice over the rim of your glass then press it into some sugar so it sticks.

Add some ice to the glass, then pour in the alcohol free beer, lemonade and pineapple juice. Stir and garnish.

Enjoy on a hot day, or any day you want to be mentally transported to a pool-side sun lounger!

Curious to see how I created a Reel out of this deliciously simple recipe? It’s right here!

Looking for more refreshing drinks recipes? Try THIS green fennel juice or THIS vegan mango and coconut float.

vegan recipe, food bloggingK J Espinel