Is it just me, or are mocktails having a moment right now? I've been noticing mocktail menus more and more at restaurants these days. I had a fantastic one at a fancy place a few weeks ago that I would re-order even if I didn't have a human growing inside of me. The truth of the matter is, once I hit 30, all those gin + tonics in my 20s started catching up to me. Alcohol just isn't cute for me anymore.
You should know: I don't consider wine to be alcohol--wine is actually sweet, sweet life blood sent from the Heavens. And yes, I have a little here and there. The little human likes it. Plus, her name is French, so I practically have a license to drink French wine while knocked up. I kid. Please don't hate on me. We're talking ¼ of a glass of wine with a very full stomach of food maaaaybe once a week. Ok, fine, send hate mail. I'll have my cork screw ready.
So, the mocktail I had at the restaurant had at least two different types of herb infusions and bitters. Umm, I barely have time to put leggings on one leg at a time these days, let alone conduct kitchen experiments in tiny brown bottles. So, my answer to the herb infusion is this: bruise a cilantro sprig with the side of a knife. Insert into glass. After a few minutes, yes, you can really taste it! I felt like a genius for discovering this. I mean, no disrespect to the thousands of mixologists out there who make tinctures and bitters. I love all handmade things. I just don't have time to make my own these days.
One thing I will always have time for is flavored simple syrups, though. I make them in all sorts of flavors, but when I make a ginger one, I have to stop myself from drinking it straight. It's just sooo good. You're either a ginger fiend or a ginger foe, so if you fall on the other side, can I suggest orange peel with 1 peppercorn, or rosemary?
I hear if we drink enough of these pretty mocktails, Spring will come sooner. Bottoms up!
Pineapple Hibiscus Mocktail
These refreshing drinks are a great alternative to a cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2" piece of fresh ginger
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 ¼ cups water, divided use
- ¼ cup dried hibiscus petals (also called jaimaca flowers)
- ½ fresh pineapple, peeled and cored
- 2 fresh cilantro sprigs
Instructions
- First, peel the ginger and slice it into very thin coins. Smash it with the end of a knife, and add it to a small sauce pan. Cover it with the sugar and ¼ cup of the water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and let simmer for 10 minutes, covered. It will be very fragrant. Let cool on the side.
- Next, bring the remaining 2 cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat, add the hibiscus petals, and cover. Allow to steep for 15 minutes. Be careful--this mixture will stain anything it touches. When done, strain and let cool. (You can do this ahead of time).
- Meanwhile, juice the pineapple in a juicer, or blend in a blender and strain. You could also use store-bought pineapple juice here.
- Strain the ginger out of the syrup mixture, and divide it between two tall glasses. Add plenty of ice cubes, and top with equal parts of the pineapple juice and hibiscus tea. Finally, bruise the cilantro sprigs with the side of a knife, and add to the glass. Serve.
Notes
You can absolutely scale this recipe up to serve a crowd. I frequently do! Just triple or quadruple all ingredients.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 128Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 15mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 1gSugar: 29gProtein: 1g
Genny says
While this mocktail looks amazing, what I took from this post is -- it's OK to have a bit of wine while pregnant! I've always felt so guilty for having a sip or two while I was -- and my kids are grown! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I feel a lot less guilty now! lol
Christina Lane says
Haha, Genny! I'm definitely not a doctor, so I can't advise you. I just took the risk and sip on wine every now and then. I needed it :)
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
I love wine but hate hard alcohol and only drink wine or beer once or twice a month. However, I LOOOOOVE a nicely mixed mocktail and this is right up my alley! Hibiscus is one of my favorite flavors ever so I love that you mixed it with pineapple!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Dude. Killer photos (seriously STUNNING) and this drink sounds amazing! Of course, being the lush I am I'd love to spike this bad boy with rum. But that's neither here nor there :D
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says
Sooooo pretty!
Ryan says
I love this! I don't drink (although I am 23 even though I look 16), so mocktails are the best. I'll have to try this!
Also I just found your blog and Instagram (found Instagram first), and I love it! Your photography is amazing, I can't wait to try some recipes!
Christina Lane says
Can we please bond over looking way younger than your age? Isn't it the WORST? And people tell you all the time 'you'll be so grateful when you're 40.' Yeah, well, right now I'm 30 and I get carded and look like I'm 16 and pregnant!
Anyway, thanks for all the kind words, Ryan! It's nice to meet you! :)
Christina
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
Mocktails are so super trendy now! I wrote an article about them last year when they were becoming popular, now they are everywhere. And I'm super excited about it! it gives us lightweights (and future moms) a chance to sip something composed, thoughtful and delicious without feeling lame. This one is amazing, what a fantastic flavor punch!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
Love this recipe!! It's so nice to find a mocktail recipe as we are both teetotal here! Looks so refreshing :)
Stephanie @ Long Distance Baking says
The colors here are stunning! Also I'm pretty excited that with the new iphone update, they did NOT add a white wine emoji (insert praying hands here). Sure hope that little peanut hasn't changed your taste in wines and that you'll appreciate that as well ;)
Annalise @ Completely Delicious says
I cannot believe you actually admitted to drinking wine while pregnant! I drank a very limited amount of wine all through pregnancy #1 and I'm doing it again with baby #2. It keeps me sane and those tiny glasses of wine taste like a million bucks. It's the only thing getting me through this whole Moab move. Cheers! :)
Coty and Mariah |Quirks and Twists| says
Loved this post! Had me cracking up and I also love a helpful (cilantro) shortcut! Can't wait to try it out.