Sparkling Citrus Apple Mocktail (Vegan)

Recipe from Katy McAvoy  

Husband-Tested in Alice’s Kitchen

Makes 1 mocktail 

We thought this mocktail was just fine and dandy, especially for the holidays.  I was able to make the Ginger Simple Syrup well in advance.  To fancy it up even more (also well in advance) I placed small pieces of orange in an ice cube tray and filled the tray with water.  After the orange ice was completely frozen, I popped them out and placed them in a bag for when I was ready to make the mocktails.

3 oz sparkling apple cider

1.25 oz Ginger Simple Syrup*

1 oz fresh orange juice

0.5 oz fresh lemon juice

1 orange peel, 2 inch piece for garnish

Raw sugar (turbinado sugar) for garnish

Pour raw sugar into a shallow dish. Run a slice of lemon or orange around the rim of the glass, then dip the rim of the glass into the raw sugar. Add ice to the glass and set it aside. Using a vegetable peeler, cut a long strip of orange peel from the orange. Set aside. Combine ginger syrup, orange juice and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into your prepared glass. Top with sparkling apple cider. Squeeze the orange peel over the glass to express the orange peel oil into your drink. Garnish with a curl of orange peel or slice of apple. Stir, sip and enjoy!

1 mocktail = 153 calories 

Homemade Ginger Simple Syrup* is great for making flavorful cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. Ginger simple syrup is easy to make at home and pairs well with bourbon, gin, and vodka and is great for mocktails too.

Makes 12 oz. (12 servings)

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

2-inch piece fresh ginger

Peel and slice the ginger.

Combine sugar and hot water, stirring until sugar is dissolved.

Add the ginger slices to the hot water and sugar mixture.

Allow ginger to steep in the syrup until the mixture cools completely, approximately 2 hours.

Cool syrup completely before using. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to

2 weeks.

Note: The longer you leave the ginger in the syrup, the stronger the flavor. If you want a stronger ginger flavor, make the syrup 24 hours in advance to allow the ginger more time to infuse the syrup. Do not leave the ginger in the syrup for more than 48 hours. Doing so will shorten the syrup’s shelf life.

1 oz. = 65 calories