3 Easy Dry January Mocktails with Robinsons

I’ve been working with Robinsons recently who invited me to create three alcohol free mocktails with their new Fruit Cordial Range. Whether you are Dry January-ing or long term alcohol free, experimenting with other things to drink instead can be fun and a great way to stay off the booze.

I love Robinsons squash, and their new Fruit Cordial Range is grown up squash for adults. In lovely glass bottles and with more complex flavours (Crushed Lime & Mint, Pressed Elderflower & Pear, and Raspberry, Rhubarb & Orange Blossom), they are the perfect Dry January alternative. They all taste yummy and are great with sparkling water, but using them in mocktails makes for an extra special treat.

In another life (aged 19-22) I worked as a cocktail bartender in London and used to love making cocktails. Who says making mocktails can’t be just as fun? I delved into Clare Liardet’s Dry for some grown up drink inspiration, and used Robinsons new Fruit Cordial’s to make the mocktail making process super easy (all with ingredients you’ll have at home or can pick up easily at the supermarket).

Easy Virgin Mojito

(makes 1)

You will need:

• Long glass
• Robinsons Crushed Mint & Lime Cooler
• Half a Lime
• Mint Leaves
• Soda Water
• Crushed Ice (if you want to make it extra fancy!)

Add the cordial and two lime quarters to a long glass with a couple of mint leaves. Muddle (mush together using a muddler, small tonic bottle or similar) the mint leaves, lime & cordial together. Add crushed ice & soda water and give your mocktail a stir. Top with crushed ice and garnish with a mint sprig and a straw. Sip and enjoy!

Crushed Elderflower, Cucumber & Pear Cooler

(makes 1)

You will need:

• Short glass
• Robinsons Pressed Elderflower & Pear Fruit Cordial
• 2 slices of cucumber & a cucumber baton
• A small handful of fresh basil
• A lime wedge
• Sparkling water
• Ice cubes

Muddle the basil, cucumber and lime in a short glass. Add the Pressed Elderflower & Pear cordial and a squeeze of lime juice from the lime wedge. Fill the glass with ice and top with sparkling water. Stir everything together and garnish with a sprig of basil and a baton of cucumber.

This is also wonderful made in a jug to share with friends. 

Raspberry & Rhubarb Sparkler

(makes 2)

You will need:

• Champagne glass or short glass
• Robinsons Raspberry, Rhubarb & Orange Blossom Fruit Cordial
• Two sprigs of mint
• Small handful of raspberries
• Chilled sparkling water or lemonade

Lightly bruise the mint leaves and two raspberries with a muddler (or small tonic bottle, salt shaker or similar) and leave them in a glass with the cordial for 10 minutes or more. Pour the mixture into two champagne glasses (or short glasses if you would prefer) and top up with sparkling water, for a sweeter drink use lemonade. Garnish with a raspberry. Cheers!

All Robinsons squashes are made using real fruit and contain no artificial colours or flavours, and I’ve avoided using any artificial colours or flavours in these mocktails so they’re great for keeping the new year’s resolutions and any intentions to eat and drink better.

Robinsons is introducing two new ranges for grown-ups, Fruit Cordials (which I’ve used to make these mocktails) and Fruit Creations, to create these two ranges Robinsons enlisted flavour experts to put together the very best fruit combinations.

Squash for grown-ups, and these mocktails definitely make for a nice evening treat or day time lounge. Let me know if you make any of these, and which one is your favourite flavour (Maisie says she likes Pressed Pear and Elderflower!)!

Thanks for reading, Laurie xx

This is a commissioned post by Robinsons.