Making Spirits Bright: 4 Holiday Mocktail Recipes

Nonalcoholic mixed drinks are a fun and exciting way to serve everyone at holiday gatherings. No one will feel left out of the party with a refreshing, fruity and fizzy concoction served in a beautiful glass. Try these four merry mocktail recipes from local bartenders for a festive season.


Pineapple in a Pear Tree

From Judson Spillyards

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. lemon juice 

  • 1 oz. cinnamon pear agave concentrate
  • 2 oz. Knudsen’s Cold-Pressed Pineapple Juice
  • Soda or sparkling water (recommend Mountain Valley Sparkling Water with no flavor)

For the concentrate (batch recipe):

  • 4 large cinnamon sticks
  • 32 oz. Knudsen’s Cold-Pressed Pear Juice
  • 16 oz. light golden agave syrup

Directions:

To make the concentrate: In a saucepan, toast cinnamon sticks lightly until fragrant and smoking with light char to release the oils. Pour in pear juice and allow to steep while heating on low for eight minutes. Add agave syrup and stir until the concentrate thickens. Let chill and refrigerate in an airtight container. 

To make the mocktail: Mix concentrate and juices in a Collins glass over ice. Top with sparkling water and garnish with a lemon peel.


French 86

From Colonial Wines & Spirits

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Seedlip Grove 42 Citrus Botanical Nonalcoholic Spirit 
  • 5 oz. Lyre’s Classico Nonalcoholic Sparkling Wine

  • 1 tsp. simple syrup 
  • 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
  • Ice

Directions:

Mix lemon juice, simple syrup and Seedlip Grove 42 in a shaker with ice. Pour into glass over ice, top with Lyre’s Classico and garnish with a slice of lemon.


Feelin’ Pear Pressure

From The Fold

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. spiced pear syrup

  • 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
  • Ginger beer

Directions:

Add spiced pear syrup and lemon juice, then shake and top with ginger beer. Garnish with a cinnamon sugar pear slice.


Adelaide Parade

From Petit & Keet

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz. mulled cranberry simple syrup

  • 1 oz. pineapple juice 
  • 1 oz. cranberry juice
  • 1/2 oz. lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz. apple cider

Directions:

Dry shake, add ice, shake again and pour. Top with a cinnamon stick.


PHOTOGRAPHY
JASON MASTERS

STYLING
JOSIE BURNETT

CLOTHING & JEWELRY
B. BARNETT


This story first appeared in the December 2022 issue of Little Rock Soirée.

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