Some couples do not like serving alcoholic beverages at their wedding reception.  For some, it is for religious beliefs, while for others, it is to avoid over indulgence. In that case, mocktails come into play here. Mocktails are non alcoholic drinks made by mixing different fruit juices, iced tea or soft drinks. Mocktails are tasty and can be garnished with fruits, shrimp etc. 

Here are a few wedding favourites. 

Rosemary Smash

Ingredients 

• 7-8 blueberries

• 1 Rosemary sprig, stripped

• 1 ounce honey syrup

• 1 ounce fresh lemon juice, strained

• 4 ounces sparkling mineral water

• Ice

Method

Gently muddle blueberries, Rosemary leaves, and honey syrup in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add lemon juice and shake, covered, with ice vigorously for 10 seconds. Strain through a mesh strainer into a tall glass of fresh ice. Top with sparkling water and stir to incorporate.

Lemongrass Iced Tea

Ingredients

• Muddle 4-5 pieces of cut lemon grass

• 5 oz home-made Vanilla simple syrup

• 5 oz lemon

• 4 oz Jasmine Tea

• 2 oz ice tea

Method

Make Jasmine tea and allow to cool,  Strain into high ball then add Ice tea with cubed ice topped with crushed ice. Shake and pour in glass. Garnish with lemon grass.

Spicy Watermelon Mint Agua Fresca

Ingredients

• 2 cups cold water

• 2 cups watermelon (rind removed), seeded and chopped

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

• Juice of 1/2 lime (no more than 1 tablespoon)

• 1/4 cup mint leaves

• 1/2 jalapeno, roughly chopped

• Ice cubes or crushed ice

Method

Combine all of the ingredients and squash until smooth. Pour mixture through a strainer into a pitcher, forcing through most of the pulp. Chill and serve.

Coco-Mint Cooler

Ingredients

• 4 cups of coconut water

• 2 cucumbers sliced very thinly

• 1/2 cup of lime juice

• 1/4 cup of sugar (optional)

• 1/4 cup of chopped mint leaves

Method

Combine coconut water, cucumbers, lime juice, sugar and mint leaves. Let it chill for 1-2 hours, serve as cooler mocktails.

By Pamela Echemunor