Booze-Free Bingeing

For reasons not worth exploring here, my wife is off the sauce for a week or so. She asked me to juice some limes and make some fizzy water for her to have around.

Since that's boring, I informed her I would come up with some booze-free cocktail ideas for us to try out. 

Her brow wrinkled skeptically, and she reminded me of her strong opinion that mocktails aren't worth the calories.

Undaunted, I promised I'd keep things skinny. Simple syrups and juice-based mixers would be kept to a minimum, I assured her.

Then she reminded me that she doesn't do artificial sweeteners (aside from her daily Diet Coke, of course). So... no stevia or whatever else the Keto people cheat with --natural ingredients only, I agreed.

At the end of Day 2, I'm pleased to report the results have been positive. Here's what we've been drinking:

Blueberry Mojito, Hold the Rum

For a 2 qt pitcher:

1/2 c fresh lime juice

1/4 c simple syrup

Large bunch of mint leaves

Generous handful of fresh blueberries

Soda water

Combine lime juice, simple syrup, mint leaves, and blueberries in a sealable container. With a potato masher or muddler, crush mint and blueberries vigorously. Seal the container, give it a gentle shake, and leave in the fridge for a few hours to extract flavor from the mint and blueberries into the liquid.

When you're ready to make your beverage, strain and discard the mint and blueberry solids and add liquid to the pitcher. Top with soda water and mix well. 

Fill glasses with ice, add a few blueberries and mint leaves, and pour.

2-Bit Garden Party

2 oz Seedlip Garden 108

1 oz Garden Fresh base (see below)

.5 oz lime juice

Soda water

Combine measured ingredients over ice and top with soda. Garnish with a cracked snap pea.

Base:

2 c green grapes

Kernels from 1 ear of raw sweet corn

1/2 c snap peas

Blend ingredients in a blender. Strain juice and discard solids. If you don't use it all immediately, refrigerate and shake to combine before using.