24 Aug 2021: Virgin Strawberry Mojito Mocktail

Sometimes we indulge in sprits. And sometimes we don’t.

Here’s a refreshing mocktail from Plant Based Jess that is sure to make you forget there’s no alcohol involved. Refreshing and perfect for warm summer nights!

Virgin Strawberry Mojito Mocktail

Ingredients

• ½ cup fresh strawberries (2-4) - sliced

• 10-12 fresh mint leaves

• 1 lime - juiced

• ½ tbsp sweetener to taste - optional

• ice cubes - for serving

• soda water or seltzer - I used about 1 - 1 ½ cup

How to:

In a glass (at least 16 oz), add the strawberries, mint, lime juice and sweetener, if using. Then, using a muddler, crush the ingredients to help them release their juice and oil (avoid crushing the mint so small so it is more pleasant to drink).

Then, fill the glass with ice cubes and top with seltzer. Stir and enjoy!

29 May: Verdant Lady

Green Chartreuse seems to appear in several cocktail recipes I’ve been frequenting. It is spicy and herbal and quite unusual. The exact recipe for creating this liquor is tightly held by Carthusian Monks, which adds to the mystique of it. Honestly, we tried a shot and found it was not enjoyable, but added to cocktails? Delicious and unusual.

Tonight’s refreshing cocktail, the Verdant Lady, come from Bonjon Gourmet. With a hint of mint, and the herbally smooth gin (Ingenium), it was reminiscent of a martini adapted for warm nights and al fresco dining.

What you need for 1 cocktail:

• Fill a shaker half full of ice

• Add 1.5 oz. gin (Hendricks recommended, I used Ingenium)

• 0.5 oz. fresh, strained lime juice (no the bottled stuff is not okay)

• 0.25 oz simple syrup

• 1/6 oz Chartreuse Green

• 4 large mint leaves (plus a sprig for garnish)

Shake the whole thing for about 30 seconds and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with the mint sprig. Chilling the coupe suggested.