On Mocktails

A great "snack" to have around over the holidays.

Welcome to the Friday Recipe post for paid subscribers! This mocktail recipe is a favorite for Dry January and far beyond. On Tuesday, all subscribers will receive an exciting invitation to an in-person retreat this summer. As always, check out my past posts here and learn more about my day job here. Thanks for reading!

Editor’s Note: The damage and heartbreak left within the wake of the fires in California is heavy on my heart today. From the Midwest, I feel helpless. This reminder from Edible Chicago was much needed. If you, like me, are searching for ways to support the people affected by this disaster, this list is full of good places to start.

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Whether or not you celebrate dry January, having a few solid mocktail recipes in your repertoire isn’t the worst idea. They’re smart to keep around for entertaining purposes, of course, and I’d argue that making a good mocktail helps you understand what goes into a good cocktail. Win-win.

Some tips for making a good mocktail:

• Don’t complicate it. Let one primary flavor—in this case, the pomegranate—shine and be supported by the other ingredients. But don’t be boring either: use unexpected pairings (like this cranberry and sage concoction) to add depth.

• Lean into bitter and sour flavors. The tangy taste of pomegranate can lean into the saccharine sweet if you’re not careful. Mocktails taste most like good cocktails when you celebrate bitter and sour flavor notes. That’s why I love using a squeeze of sour citrus or astringent ingredients, like black tea, in mocktails. If you like olives, playing with brines can be just as fun. If you’re not into olives, try making a shrub instead.

• Give the garnish her moment. There’s nothing sadder than a mocktail served without the pomp and circumstance of a cocktail. A cocktail signals celebration, something special, an occasion. With the right garnishes, you can make a mocktail feel just as special. Try some olives (see above for adding briney flavors!) on a cocktail stick, learn how to twist up some citrus peel, or make your own dried fruit, like I did for these virgin pina coladas.

Pomegranate Mocktail