Mocktail Cocktails
Not that I was a big drinker of alcohol before my diagnosis, but the minute I was diagnosed all that I wanted was to have my go to rum and coke drink. I would soon be told that it was suggested that I stay away from alcohol throughout my treatment especially during chemotherapy. I decided that I wanted all treatments - chemo, surgery and radiation to do their thing without any effects from alcohol. I mostly drank water and still do, but during chemotherapy water tasted like metal or melted butter. All that I wanted was a flavor. I found that citrus drinks were ok so if I really needed something, I went for a Vitamin Water.When we went out for dinner I would usually get water as well, but there's something about getting a fun drink in the spring and summer months, alcohol or not. There were a few restaurants: Beatrix and Summer House that have lists of mocktails! I would get so excited to dine at these places so I could enjoy a tasty beverage without the alcohol and it didn’t have to be water.
For those of you going through chemo especially during this time the below recipes for a tasty beverage are for you! I teamed up with Cocktail Courier in Chicago to create these non-alcoholic beverages. I have personally tried each of them and they are absolutely amazing. I’m really excited to enjoy these mocktails (mock or not) all this summer!
Cheers to completing chemotherapy, cheers to having your surgery, cheers to completing radiation, cheers for being a warrior and being fearless and cheers to getting through the many challenges cancer can bring to your world. Also cheers to you while we get through this world pandemic. We all could use these recipes right now (and go ahead add alcohol if you aren’t in cancer treatment or you are done and celebrating - No Judging Here)! Oh and for all of you ladies that are pregnant - cheers to the surrogates out there - these mocktails are for you too!
Crown Chakra
0.50 tbsp hydrated chia seeds
0.25 oz rose syrup
0.25 oz coconut syrup
4 oz 2% milk
0.75 tsp dragon fruit powder (acai powder would be a worthy substitute here, but reduce the amount used to 0.50 tsp)
Garnish: unsweetened coconut, crushed pistachio
Basic Recipe: Hydrate the chia seeds by soaking in warm water until about doubled in size. Fill glass with ice and place measured amount of hydrated chia seeds into the glass. Combine all other ingredients, except for garnish, into a cocktail shaker, first shaking without ice, to properly dissolve the dragonfruit power, and then with ice to chill and dilute. Strain the cocktail into prepped glass, and sprinkle garnish over the top of the finished cocktail.
PG-13
6 Pink peppercorns
4 dashes cardamom bitters
0.25 oz cucumber syrup
3.75 oz grapefruit tonic
Basic Recipe: In a cocktail shaker, muddle the pink peppercorns lightly. Add the measured amounts of bitters and syrup to the shaker with ice and shake briefly to chill and incorporate. Strain the shaken cocktail into a wine glass filled with ice and top with a measured amount of grapefruit tonic. Lightly stir to fully incorporate.
Tree Pose
0.5 oz basil syrup
0.5 oz pineapple juice
1 oz lime juice
2 oz ginger beer
Garnish: hibiscus soaked dehydrated lime wheel
Basic Recipe: In a cocktail shaker combine all ingredients (except for the garnish and ginger beer). Add ice and shake to chill and dilute. Strain shaken cocktail into a rocks glass filled with ice. Add measured of ginger beer and stir lightly to incorporate. Garnish with the dehydrated lime wheel.
Cheers!
Here are the accompanying links for Cocktail Courier products.
Syrup Shop: https://www.cocktailcourier.com/shop/all/?category_id=817&sort_id=new&cocktails=0&products=1
Garnish Shop: https://www.cocktailcourier.com/shop/all/?category_id=820&sort_id=new&cocktails=0&products=1
*If you have any questions about the syrups or garnish, please reach out by email or to Cocktail Courier directly.
*Liv and Let will be working with Cocktail Courier to create personalized caring crates! Let’s send some love and support with delicious mocktails!