Blood Orange Mocktail

This winter mocktail made with blood orange juice, lime juice, sage, and a simple syrup is a refreshing winter spritzer. This Blood Orange Mocktail is a perfect drink for Dry January/Sober October, and is super simple to make! Cheers!

2024 is off and running and with the New Year comes Dry January. Dry January started in the UK back in 2015 as a challenge, it is not a detox for those with dependency issues. This campaign is aimed at people who have steadily been drinking a bit too much, too often, without realizing the effect that it’s having on their health. Enter the rise of non-alcoholic cocktails/mocktails as a trend that is here to stay.

All the Mocktails

While I don’t drink a ton, one of the exciting parts of creating drink combinations is their flavor profile. My Strawberry Basil Margarita and Tajín Watermelon Margarita are spins on the originals, however, they’re my take in creating a unique flavor profile. These days there are a ton of alternative non-alcoholic options. Mocktails are more widely accepted as people begin to choose not to drink for a night, a month, or however long they may choose. You can still have the pleasure of a good drink without the alcohol. Additionally, important to note, mocktails can be sources of added sugar, i.e., juice, tonic water. Therefore be aware of what’s added to your drink and sip smarter!

How To Make A Health(ier) Mocktail

• Use seasonal ingredients! Seasonal fruit has natural sugar/sweetness and that cuts back from adding sugar and other add-ins. Frozen fruit makes for a great option too!
• Add some bubbly from sparkling water, not sparkling wine or champagne as it’s sans alcohol. Add the bubbly for fizz to keep the drink festive and fun!
• Go big on the flavors. When you add ingredients like ginger it not only takes the flavor up a notch but also has an added nutritional benefit. Muddle herbs, like basil and mint, to have some naturally flavorful oils and color.
• Kombucha as a base works nicely. In addition to the potential gut health benefits, kombucha offers a slight effervescence to give your mocktail a little something extra to keep it exciting. 

Ingredients: Blood Orange Mocktail

Here are a few ideas to help you build a flavorful mocktail sans alcohol. While this mocktail I created might look a little fancy, it’s easy to toss together. Here’s what you need to make this Blood Orange Mocktail.

• Fresh Blood Orange Juice: 2 blood oranges will yield 1/2 cup of blood orange juice. Additionally you can muddle the oranges to get the flavor mixed with the sage and not worry about the exact amount of juice. Blood oranges’ ruby-red color comes from anthocyanins which are heart-healthy pigments. Cara Cara oranges work as well.
• Lime Juice: This gives the ‘sour’ portion of the drink.
• Sage: Sage gives a slight earthy undertone to the drink. Muddling this herb helps to create that unique flavor, not to mention pairs well with the blood orange. Mint can also be used in it’s place if you’re not sold on the sage.
• Simple Syrup– Mocktails can be a source of added sugar, however, depending on the combo it will need some added sugar. This is my go-to sweetener and I used just a smidge.
• Sparkling Water: Aim here for a sparkling water flavor with no added sugar. The sparkling water is being used in place of the alcohol in this drink. I found one that was a blood orange tangerine flavor. Seltzer water unflavored would work as well.
• Egg white– This is the something ‘extra’ to this drink. And yes, I know what you’re thinking, raw egg white? The egg white is added for the froth and the froth makes the drink silky and smooth. If you decide to leave it out, just know the drink won’t be the same. You could also use aquafaba from a can of chickpeas, but that might also be a little out there as well!

How To Make A Blood Orange Mocktail

1. Muddle the blood orange and sage: Throw in 2 sage leaves to your mason jar or cocktail shaker. Add 1/2 a blood orange and begin to muddle the two together. I was able to get most of the blood orange juice and pulp off the orange. Muddling helps the two flavors marry together. Mint can be used in place of sage.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients: Add in your sparkling water, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. This ‘dry shake’ (without the ice) helps the egg white to become extra frothy which is what you want.
3. Add the ice. Add the ice to the mason jar (or cocktail shaker) and shake until well chilled.
4. Strain. Use a strainer and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish. Add a sage leaf on top for garnish. Cheers!

Just Leave the Alcohol Out

• Tajín Watermelon Margarita
• Strawberry Basil Margarita
• Pomegranate Mimosa – Use a sparkling cider instead of champage!

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