Rachel Marwedel
Staff Writer
Each Monday, I gather my roommates and taste-test two mocktails. Here’s how this week’s went:
Amelia
Mmmmm…. pulp
- Ice cubes
- 10 canned pineapple cubes, drained
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons blackberry syrup or crème de cassis
Fill the glass with ice cubes. Reserve 1 pineapple cube; combine remaining pineapple cubes, orange juice, and 2 ice cubes in a blender. Process for about 10 seconds or until smooth. Pour into glass. Float blackberry syrup/crème de cassis on top. Garnish with reserved pineapple cube; serve with straw. Makes 1 serving.
This drink, like most of my recipes, originates in The New Mixer’s Guide to Low-Alcohol & Nonalcoholic Drinks by Sheila Buff and Judi Olstein. Let me start with revising this recipe a bit – don’t fill your glass with ice cubes. Okay, now we can begin. I didn’t bother with the garnish but filled my blender with pineapple cubes, orange juice, and a good deal of ice. A quick blend, and into the glass. I couldn’t find any blackberry syrup, so I tried floating strawberry syrup. Not a good idea. In the end, it made a decent-sized glass or the equivalent of several shot glasses.
Morning, sunshine! Orange and pineapple is a popular breakfast combo, and this drink puts a fun new spin on the texture. By that, I mean if you love pulp, this is for you! Ever seen a whale strain krill through its baleen and thought to yourself, wow, I wish that was me? Well, good news! A glass of this every morning will fulfill your dreams. But otherwise, nothing special.
Rating: 2/3
Almond Blossom
Throw it out and start again.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 6 tablespoons pear nectar
- ¾ cup cold sparkling water
- Pear slice
Combine lemon juice, yogurt, honey, almond extract, and pear nectar in a blender. Process for about 10 seconds or until smooth. Refrigerate until well chilled. Pour into a glass; add sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish with a pear slice. Makes 1 serving.
Another recipe from the New Mixer’s Guide. I’m going to be honest, I strongly believe mixing yogurt with sparkling water is an abomination and should not be allowed on this earth. So yes, I did make this drink. I then immediately spit it out into the sink. Make it if you dare. Instead, I scrapped the whole thing, and made an entirely new drink with some ingredients on hand! First, pour simple syrup on your rim. Sprinkle some margarita salt on a plate, then flip your glass over and twist it back and forth so the salt clings to your drink. Fill your glass with ½ cup of ginger ale, ½ cup of pear juice, and a tablespoon of lemon juice (or to taste). Makes 1 glass.
I’d rather not bring up more memories of my first attempt, but my remix tasted pretty good!
Rating (of the original drink): 1/3
