Non-alcoholic drinks are oh so now
Mocktails kind of have a bad rap. Often times they can be synonymous with the overly sweet Shirley Temples that were ordered during our “I’m a cool kid” phase. Now that we’ve graduated to alcoholic drinks, there is no reason to revert to these faux beverages, right? Wrong. Mocktails are finding their place on cocktail menus.
More people are becoming health conscious and are drinking responsibly. Think about how many times you’ve met for business and have ordered water instead of a cocktail in order to stay sharp. Traditional cocktails also have the reputation of being made with pre-made mixes that are high in calories. For example, 4 ounces of Jose Cuervo Margarita Mix has 48% of your recommended daily serving of sugar.
So, enter the mocktail comeback. They are healthy, made with fresh fruit juices, teas, fresh herbs and spices, and flavored waters—mixology at its finest. But this new breed of mocktail packs a punch and you won’t miss the alcohol.
In the light of this beverage trend, I discovered Made to Order (MTO) Kombucha at my local farm store. Jesse Straight, owner of Wiffletree Farm in Warrenton, VA, introduced me to this locally made concoction when I visited his farm. What is kombucha? It is a fermented drink, made from black tea. It is produced by fermenting tea using a symbiotic bacteria and yeast colony. Originally from Northern China, some believe ancient China, it has become the basis for my new mock-love. The story behind MTO Kombucha is a love story in itself, which I urge you to read more about. People claim that kombucha is beneficial for liver health, joint care, digestion, immune boosting, and detoxification. It also claims to curb hunger when consumed prior to meals. Available in a variety of flavor concoctions such as cran-pomegranate, lime-basil, and apple cinnamon, just to name a few, kombucha is a delicate flavor basis for a light, guilt-free, insanely healthy mocktail.
MTO Kombucha is available at a number of health food stores and independent markets in Virginia. Find them on Facebook for more details. But they are also available for purchase online through Washington’s Green Grocer ($4.25/16 oz) or email MTO Kombucha to order directly (order@mtokombucha.com).
Kombucha Mojito Mocktail
Ingredients
- Fresh mint leaves
- Fresh basil leaves
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh cane sugar
- 2-4 slices fresh jalapeño
- 4 ounces basil-lime kombucha
- 2 ounces fresh pineapple juice
- 1 pinch paprika
Instructions
- Muddle fresh herbs with lime juice and sugar. Add ice, jalapeños, kombucha, and pineapple juice. Shake vigorously.
- Strain and pour mixture in to a tall ice-filled glass. Add a pinch of paprika.
- Garnish with a lime or a jalapeño for fun.