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5 Best Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

BY READERS DIGEST

1st Jan 2015 Drinks

5 Best Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

In the past, options for non-drinkers used to be pretty uninspiring. Many designated drivers faced nothing but orange juice or Coke when they went to the bar. These days, there are a few more alcohol-free drinks on offer. Here are our favourites:

The Shirley Temple

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It's said this drink was concocted by a Beverly Hills barman for child megastar Shirley Temple back in the 1930's. Whatever its origins, this alcohol-free cocktail delivers the glamour of a fancy cocktail without the kick of booze.

Recipe
In a tall glass filled with ice, mix 50ml lemon and lime soda with the same amount of ginger ale. Add a dash of grenadine (that's pomegranate-flavour syrup) and stir well. The Shirley Temple is traditionally served with a maraschino cherry garnish.

 

The Roy Rogers

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Named after another child star of Hollywood's golden age, the Roy Rogers is similar to the Shirley Temple but made using Cola, a dash of grenadine and topped with a cherry.

 

Elderflower fizz

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This is a lovely refreshing drink for a summer's day and a good substitute for when others are drinking alcoholic fizz. It's lovely made with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. For best effect, get the highest quality juice you can buy and avoid concentrate.

Recipe
In a tall glass with ice mix together 50ml of grapefruit juice (pink is best) with 20ml elderflower cordial. Top it up with sparkling water (or lemonade if you prefer a sweeter drink). Garnish with a wedge of lime. 

 

Mulled apple juice

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If you're offering warm mulled wine to guests, try making a batch of non-alcoholic mulled apple juice for non-drinkers. It's just as warming and contains the same spices as mulled alcoholic drinks. Make sure you get a good quality apple juice for this as it will form the basis of the drink. Try to avoid concentrated boxed apple juices. Whilst the cloudy apple juice will taste fine, the clear juice will make a more attractive drink.

Recipe
Cut strips of peel from one orange using a sharp knife. Take a piece of fresh ginger about the size of your thumb and lightly bash with a rolling pin to crush it slightly. 
Take one litre of good quality apple juice and gently heat in a pan with the peel, a cinnamon stick about 3 inches long, 3 whole cloves and the ginger. Heat the mixture for about ten minutes on a low heat without boiling. Once you can smell the spices, taste the mix and add sugar to taste. Remember that you don't want it too sweet if you're to drink a whole cup of it. Serve in a heatproof glass with a fresh strip of peel or perhaps a cinnamon stick in each glass to garnish.

 

Arnold Palmer

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Named after a legendary golfer who apparently enjoyed it often, the Arnold Palmer is perhaps the simplest non-alcoholic cocktail to make. 

Recipe
Take a glass jug and fill with ice, slices of peach and sprigs of mint (fruit and herbs are optional). Fill the jug two thirds full with cold, unsweetened tea and top up with lemonade.

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