Caxton magazines staffThese non-alcoholic cocktails are the perfect springtime drinks and they’re super easy to make. And, if you’re in the mood, you can always add a dash of alcohol to spice things up a bit. Here are some recipes from my favourite websites
Strawberry and basil margarita – perfect for parties
What you’ll need: One bottle frozen lime concentrate or cordial, 10 large strawberries, 8 basil leaves
Instructions:
1. Empty the lime concentrate into a pitcher. Add 2 ½ cups of water.
2. Hull the strawberries, slice lengthwise, and add to the pitcher.
3. Crumple the basil a little in your hands (this will help the basil flavour release into the drink) and add it to the pitcher, too.
4. Place the pitcher, covered, in the fridge overnight, or for at least four hours.
5. When you remove the pitcher from the fridge, the basil should be a lovely pale pink colour.
Recipe and image credit: The Kitchn
Green grape glacier – perfect for breakfast
What you’ll need: 12 seedless unpeeled green grapes, ½ cup of white grape juice, ½ cup of cold sparkling water
Instructions:
1. Freeze the grapes until hard.
2. Blend the frozen grapes and the grape juice until smooth and thick.
3. Pour the grape mixture into a tall glass.
4. Add the sparkling water.
5. Stir gently.
Recipe and image credit: About
Raspberry spritzer – perfect for the health conscious
What you’ll need: 2 cups sparkling water, ? cup frozen raspberries, 2 sprigs fresh mint, 85g of raspberry-flavoured syrup, ice cubes
Instructions:
Combine all the ingredients, mix and pour over ice. It’s as simple as that.
Recipe and image credit: Eating Well
Green jasmine-mint iced tea with lemon – perfect for the tea lover
What you’ll need: ¼ cup loose green jasmine tea, or 12 green jasmine tea bags, ½ cup fresh mint leaves, plus more whole sprigs for garnish, 4 cups simmering water, ½ cup lemon juice, 1/3 cup honey, 4 cups cold water
Instructions:
1. Steep the loose tea (or tea bags) and mint leaves in simmering (not boiling) water for 2 – 3 minutes.
2. Strain the tea (or remove tea bags and mint leaves) and pour into a large pitcher.
3. Stir in lemon juice and honey until the honey is dissolved.
4. Add cold water.
5. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
6. Serve over ice with mint sprigs, if desired.
Recipe and image credit: Eating Well
Orange spritzer – perfect for a vitamin C boost
What you’ll need: 100% orange juice, sparkling water, 1 orange, for garnish, ice cubes
Instructions:
1. Take the orange and either slice it thinly or cut it into wedges, set aside.
2. In a large pitcher mix equal parts orange juice and sparkling water; if you are using ice cubes you may want to add those first.
3. Garnish with a fresh orange slice or wedge.
4. Serve immediately to keep the drink fizzy.
Recipe and image credit: Honest Cooking
