All recipes served by Align Events Ltd - an innovative zero-alcohol bar service.
May 2023 |
9 minutes
When it comes to planning a romantic date night, you want everything to be perfect. For those looking for a more sober option, alcohol-free cocktails can be the perfect way to give your evening a touch of sophistication.
With the right ingredients, mocktails can be just as delicious and romantic as their alcoholic counterparts. Whether you’re newly sober or are just looking to cut back on your alcohol consumption, these five sophisticated alcohol-free cocktails will make your date night memorable and full of romance.
If you're interested in where you can find Align Events pop-ups or order our services for your next party or event, hit up our website.
The Spritz
One for summer dates on hot nights. Make this spritz alternative and imagine you're on the Amalfi coast...
Glass: Balloon Glass
Garnish: Orange wedge, ice
Ingredients:
- 100 ml San Pellegrino Bitter Rosso
- 25 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 50 ml freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3 drops All the Bitter - Orange Bitters (or any non-alcoholic orange/citrus bitters)
Directions: Add a generous amount of ice to the glass, then add San Pellegrino Bitter Rosso, lemon juice, orange juice and bitters. Give it a quick stir then garnish with an orange wedge and serve.
Virgin Garden Mojito
Virgin Mojito's have the added bonus of looking super fancy while being incredibly easy to make. This one incorporates herbal notes from fresh herbs which you can grow yourself on
your windowsill/in your garden or buy from the shops if pressed on time.
Glass: Mule Mug, jam jar or highball
Garnish: Mint, (any other herbs which suit your pallet. Thyme and Rosemary make an ice accompaniment, and coriander or parsley also adds an extra earthy depth. It all depends on your preference. If not interested in the herbal notes just double the mint quantities Ice.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml brown sugar syrup - you can buy this or easily make it by combining 100 grams brown sugar with 150 ml water, simmering slowly over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then decanted into a heat-treated and food-safe, clean glass bottle and chilling in the fridge. When made from home this syrup has a shelf life of 24 hours max in the fridge.
- A fistful of mint leaves
- 2 Thyme sprigs
- 2 Rosemary sprigs
- Ice
- 25 ml juiced cucumber - whack this in your blender then strain through a muslin cloth
- 25 ml elderflower cordial
- Soda water
- 5 drops herbal bitters - We use Nature's Garden Dandelion and Ginger, non-alcoholic bitters. But any non-alcoholic earthy bitter will do.
Directions: Pop your chosen glass into the fridge to chill. Add all ingredients and ice to a cocktail shaker, and shake hard for 30 seconds. Retrieve the glass from the fridge, fill it with ice and garnish it with as many herbs as you like. Strain the cocktail into glass and top up with soda water. Option to add a slice of lime as garnish as well.
Good Vibes Margs
Batch-make these grapefruit margs ahead of a party or double date and let the good times roll. This recipe serves 2 so keep doubling the quantities for the desired amount of drinks.
Glass: Margarita coupe or any coupe will do
Garnish: Edible Nasturtium flower or pink grapefruit wedge
Ingredients:
- Blender
- Ice
- 100 ml Mocktails Margarita
- 100 ml Non-alcoholic tequila alternative - Lyres Tequila Blanco is a good shout but there are also some amazing AF tequila products on the market, so go explore!
- 50ml Pink grapefruit juice
- 25ml Freshly squeezed lime
- 25ml Agave syrup
*If you do not want to use a non-alcoholic spirit alternative for this recipe you can sub in with 100ml pickle brine and up the pink grapefruit to 100ml
Directions: Add all ingredients and ice to a blender, blend and serve! Garnish with nasturtium flower or grapefruit wedge.
Passion +
Super pretty and delicate - let love fill the air with every sip.
Glass: Cocktail Coupe
Garnish: Cocktail stick, 3 raspberries
Ingredients:
- 20ml Oggs Aquafaba (or raw egg white if not vegan)
- 3 raspberries
- 50 ml non-alcoholic gin replacement
- 25 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Optional 15ml sugar syrup (if you like a sweeter cocktail)
- Ice
- Cocktail Shaker
- Strainer
- Muddler
- Muddling glass (or just use the bottom of the cocktail shaker)
Directions:
Pop your coupe into the fridge to chill. Muddle three raspberries then decant into a cocktail shaker. Add Oggs/raw egg white, non-alcoholic gin replacement and lemon juice to cocktail shaker and dry shake for 20 seconds. Add ice and wet shake for 30 seconds. Retrieve the coupe from the fridge, strain the cocktail into the coupe and garnish with three raspberries slotted onto a cocktail stick and laid gently across the top of the glass.
New Fangled
A grown-up play on an Old Fashioned. Smoky and spicy notes are incorporated using tea and ginger. Side note: If you like it spicy crank up the ginger!
Glass: Old Fashioned Glass or Tumbler
Garnish: Maraschino cherry
Ingredients:
- 150 ml water brewed with lapsang souchong tea (you can buy ready-made tea bags or tea leaves).
- 25 ml ginger syrup - a delicious syrup we are loving at the moment is called Gimber. If you like it spicy up this to 50ml.
- 25 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 25 ml good quality cherry juice
- 20ml maple syrup (or honey if non vegan)
Directions: Make the tea and leave it to cool in the fridge, with your glass. When cooled, take the glass out of the fridge and fill it with ice. Pour in the tea then layer with ginger syrup, lemon juice, cherry juice and maple syrup/honey. Use your cocktail stirrer to swirl the cocktail gently around until all elements are mixed. Garnish with a cherry and serve.
