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Alcohol alternatives; have you ever tried mocktails?

It is Alcohol Awareness Week, which is a chance to get talking about drinking and highlight the issues alcohol can pose.
This year, the focus is on alcohol and mental health, and there is plenty you can do to get involved and raise awareness, find out more about what that could be here.
Have you ever tried a mocktail? Do you think they are a viable alternative to alcoholic drinks?
Please remember that if you are consuming alcohol, you should drink responsibly.
This year, the focus is on alcohol and mental health, and there is plenty you can do to get involved and raise awareness, find out more about what that could be here.
Forget the cocktails, try a mocktail
In case there are any of you who are like me and thought a mocktail was a drink that makes jokes at your expense, I will explain what they are.
Essentially, a mocktail is a cocktail that doesn't contain any alcohol, they can often mimic the taste of authentic cocktails or taste completely different, but the common denominator is that they contain no alcohol whatsoever.
Due to this, mocktails have become an increasingly popular choice for people who don't drink alcohol, or for those who want to cut back on their intake, because they offer the fulfilling taste of a fancy cocktail while omitting the unhealthy alcoholic content completely.
We thought we would share some interesting mocktail recipes with you. Please let us know if you have tried any of these before and if you have any recipes of your own to share.
Follow the links provided below to find out more information about the ingredients and instructions for each drink.

Essentially, a mocktail is a cocktail that doesn't contain any alcohol, they can often mimic the taste of authentic cocktails or taste completely different, but the common denominator is that they contain no alcohol whatsoever.
Due to this, mocktails have become an increasingly popular choice for people who don't drink alcohol, or for those who want to cut back on their intake, because they offer the fulfilling taste of a fancy cocktail while omitting the unhealthy alcoholic content completely.
We thought we would share some interesting mocktail recipes with you. Please let us know if you have tried any of these before and if you have any recipes of your own to share.
Follow the links provided below to find out more information about the ingredients and instructions for each drink.

Sidecar mocktail
Serve up a sophisticated alcohol-free sidecar mocktail. It’s made with lapsang souchong tea, lemon juice, marmalade and honey. It only takes 5 minutes to make so it will be in your glass in no time.New York sour mocktail
For a taste of summer, in the middle of winter, this New York sour mocktail. Flavoured with tea, pomegranate, lemon and maple syrup, is a fantastic option. Although it won't quite beat visiting the Big Apple itself, we admit.Good morning sunburst
This Orange Juice Mocktail recipe is an easy one to make, with simple ingredients. Serve to children, adults, the entire family. It would brighten up any meal and contrary to what the title might suggest, it's suitable for any time of day.Popsicle punch
We don't intend for a few of these to have American themes to their names, but it so happens that they do. This yummy sounding mocktail contains:- lemon lime fizzy pop
- lemonade
- sparkling water
- sliced strawberries,
- cubed mangos
- strawberry and mango popsicles (ice lollies)
Raspberry lemonade mocktail
Containing just raspberries, caster sugar, lemon zest, sparkling water and sliced lemon, this mocktail is definitely one for a sweet tooth, as are most of these. You can find further details, including a method, by following the link.Your thoughts and experiences of mocktails?
I've never tried one before, but having seen these recipes I'm definitely tempted to give them a go, perhaps over Christmas.Have you ever tried a mocktail? Do you think they are a viable alternative to alcoholic drinks?
Please remember that if you are consuming alcohol, you should drink responsibly.
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Replies
I love a cocktail and mocktails are not an exception.
My favourite mocktail is the Shirley Temple.
1 part sugar syrup
1/3 part grenadine
Top up with ginger ale
I have to say, between this thread and your cocktails one, I'm getting quite a few ideas of what to try.
Likewise @woodbine, I'm not a big drinker either, I generally prefer a cup of tea. But I will certainly be giving mocktails a go
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I quite like the sound of the Sidecar mocktail. The Sidecar is a cocktail I quite like so am intrigued to try the mocktail version.
I will admit to making a cheeky Hot Toddy last night because I have a cold. I wonder if there is a non-alcoholic version of that?
What sort of mocktails do you like @janer1967?
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https://www.masterofmalt.com/spirit/seedlip/seedlip-garden-108-spirit/?srh=1
- 400ml fresh pineapple juice, chilled
- 400ml coconut milk drink, chilled
- 1 lime, juiced
- 4 tsp icing sugar
- lime slices, to garnish
I love Pina Coladas, so I think it sounds delicious!Take a few minutes to complete our annual survey to let us know what you think about the online community.
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I've tried beer without alcohol in before, and cider, and randomly an alcohol free tequila sunrise, but that's about it.
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I know my Dad liked to drink the non-alcoholic beers when he wasn't able to drink for a while as he missed the taste, so I think it depends on the person really. I love fizzy drinks so that works better for me.
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But yeah, with alcohol, if it was beer or cider I would always prefer to just have some regular fizzy pop, rather than have the non alcoholic versions of those drinks.
I've only really tried non alcoholic beer and cider out of curiosity more than anything.
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If non-alcoholic beer tasted exactly the same, would you choose it then? Or is the effect of the alcohol part of the enjoyment?
PS I like veggie sausages (and burgers) as well and sometimes choose them even though I’m not a vegetarian.
Ooh yeah I love a veggie burger as well.
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I'd have to say the same as Tori, I think the effect is obviously a big part of it, but with some beverages I drink them more for the taste.
I think it would depend on what the drink was, because there's some I would drink regardless because they're that delicious, and some that I would never drink if they were just a standard non alcoholic drink.
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There are many alcoholic drinks I would happily pay the same amount for and drink just for the taste even if they weren't alcoholic - like beer, cider and single malt whisky. However there are some alcoholic drinks that I wouldn't enjoy the taste enough to justify drinking when nicer non-alcoholic drinks are available.
I think vodka is a good example of the latter. In most of the cocktails I know that have vodka in them, it doesn't really enhance the flavour (to me) and is there (in my opinion) for the effect - sometimes it is almost as if the other ingredients are in fact there to hide the taste of the alcohol - if I just wanted a nice tasting drink I'd be happy to omit vodka from most cocktails that ask for it.
Obviously we are all different, some people I'm sure like the taste of vodka!
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https://www.absolutdrinks.com/en/drinks/blue-hawaiian/
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