Happy Friday, everybody! And I’m bringing you happy hour – but a different kind this week.
I started experimenting around with mocktail recipes and virgin drinks when I was expecting my son {because naturally, no booze then}, and I’ve continued working on them ever since.
Because whatever the reason you don’t want to drink, you still sometimes want something sweet and fizzy and prettily garnished and celebratory. Just booze free.
For me, it’s my mornings. I love mornings. I love being one of those ridiculous morning people that bounces right out of bed at 5 or 6 am without setting an alarm and enjoys a cup of coffee while the sun rises and the rest of the world is still asleep.
Even on weekends, because that’s the best time to get everyone up and out for a hike before the parks start getting crowded!
And for that, I need a good night of sleep free of the restlessness and adrenaline that inevitably shows up after any alcohol.
So I’ve created a number of mocktails we keep on rotation for when we want something bright and fizzy and fun to sip on without the alcohol.
The Provincial is a current favorite.
As you might have guessed from the name, a Provincial is the anti-Cosmopolitan {we had some fun brainstorming names for it and ended up looking up the antithesis of cosmopolitan and urban}.
It has the cranberry and the lime, but swaps the citrus vodka for orange-tangerine juice and adds a splash of club soda for a little fun fizz.
And instead of serving it up in a martini or coupe glass, we still serve them up {shaken over ice but served without ice} in a stemless wine or double rocks glasses. Because we can throw those right in the dishwasher.
Garnish with some fresh or sugared cranberries, herbs of your choice, and a twist, and enjoy!
The sugared cranberries are the perfect winter touch. I’ll be sharing more details on these in a separate post today – because really, they deserve their own.
The Provincial
Makes 2 drinks
What You’ll Need:
- A dozen ice cubes
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1 cup orange-tangerine juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- Club soda
- 2 orange zest twists
- Optional: cranberries for garnish
- Optional: herbs for garnish
How to Make Them:
1. Put 2 glasses in the freezer to chill for at least 30 minutes.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice. Pour in the cranberry juice, tangerine juice, and lime juice and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
3. Strain into the chilled glasses, divided evenly, and add a splash of club soda to each glass for a little fizz.
4. Garnish each glass with an orange twist, herbs of your choice, and sugared cranberries. Serve immediately.
And if you’re looking to make this a weekend drink with the alcohol back in, add two ounces of citrus vodka into the mix when you’re shaking it up {one per serving}, or swap the club soda for a splash of champagne!
Cheers!
