5 Pretty Mocktails For Your Autumn Party
Recipes and Photography by Stenly A.
We recently sat down with Indonesian chef, Stenly A., to talk about all things Asian Autumn. We all know about the pumpkin spice that comes out every Fall, but this year, we wanted to look at Fall drinks from a different angle. Well-versed in East and Southeastern Asian fusion cuisine, we asked him to imagine a few mocktails to serve at an Autumn party for some friends... the prettier, the better. This is what he came up with.
Kabocha Spice Vanilla
Ingredients:
• 1 cup almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
• 1/2 cup kabocha puree
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for rimming the glasses)
• Sliced kabocha (optional)
Instructions:
On a small plate, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Moisten the rims of two glasses with a little water or maple syrup. Dip the rims into the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
In a blender, combine the almond milk, kabocha puree, maple syrup, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Blend until smooth.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Pour the blended mixture into the shaker. Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds until well chilled.
Strain the mocktail into the prepared glasses. Garnish it with sliced kabocha on the rim of the glass.
Serve immediately and enjoy your Kabocha Spice Vanilla Mocktail! This addition of the cinnamon-sugar rim adds an extra layer of sweetness and spice to each sip. Enjoy!
Fig & Thyme Fizz
Ingredients:
Fig Simple Syrup:
• 1 cup fresh or dried figs, chopped
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Mocktail:
• 2 tablespoons fig simple syrup
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 cup club soda
• Ice cubes
• Fresh figs and thyme sprigs for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
To prepare the fig simple syrup, combine the chopped figs, water, and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes until the figs are soft and the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let it cool.
Once cooled, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing the figs to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids. Store the fig simple syrup in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
To make the mocktail, start by combining the fig simple syrup and lime juice in a glass. Add the fresh thyme sprigs and muddle gently to release their flavors.
Strain the mixture into another glass and fill the glass with ice cubes and top with club soda, stirring gently to combine. For a finishing touch, garnish with fresh figs and a sprig of thyme if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshing Fig & Thyme Fizz!
The Crimson Zen
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 1/4 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
• 2 tablespoons rosemary simple syrup (ingredients below)
• 1/4 lemon, juiced
• 1 cup sparkling water or club soda
• Ice cubes
• Rosemary sprigs and lemon slices for garnish
Rosemary Simple Syrup:
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3-4 sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions:
To prepare the Rosemary Simple Syrup, start by combining water, sugar, and rosemary sprigs in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove the saucepan from heat and let the syrup steep for about 15 minutes to infuse the flavors. Once infused, strain out the rosemary and allow the syrup to cool. Any leftover syrup can be stored in the refrigerator.
Next, mix the Mocktail Base by combining pomegranate juice, the prepared rosemary simple syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker or mixing glass. Stir or shake well to ensure everything is thoroughly combined.
To assemble the Mocktail, fill two glasses with ice cubes. Divide the pomegranate mixture evenly between the glasses. Top each glass with sparkling water or club soda, gently stirring to mix.
For garnish, add fresh pomegranate seeds to each glass and decorate with a sprig of rosemary and a slice of lemon.
Serve immediately and enjoy your Pom Lemon Zen! This mocktail blends tart pomegranate with aromatic rosemary, creating a refreshing and sophisticated drink perfect for any occasion.
Dragon’s Tail
Ingredients:
• 1 dragon fruit, peeled and diced
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup (adjust to taste)
• 1 cup sparkling water or club soda
• Ice cubes
• Dragon fruit slices and chrysanthemum flower for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
To prepare the Dragon Fruit Puree, begin by adding diced dragon fruit to a blender and blending until smooth. You may need to add a splash of water to help achieve a smooth consistency.
In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, combine the dragon fruit puree, fresh lime juice, and honey or agave syrup. Stir or shake well to ensure everything is thoroughly mixed.
To assemble the Mocktail, fill a glass with ice cubes. Strain the dragon fruit mixture into the glass.
Next, top the mixture with sparkling water or club soda, stirring gently to combine.
For garnish, add slices of dragon fruit and chrysanthemum flower to the glass for a fresh appearance and added aroma.
Serve immediately and enjoy your vibrant and refreshing Dragon’s Tail!
Autumn Harvest
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• Ice cubes
• Apple slices, orange slices, and fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
• Cinnamon sticks (optional)
Instructions:
To prepare the Autumn Harvest Mocktail, start by mixing the base. In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, combine apple cider, cranberry juice, orange juice, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Stir or shake well to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Prepare a glass by filling it with ice cubes.
Pour the mixed mocktail base into the glass over the ice cubes.
For garnish, add apple slices, orange slices, and a sprig of fresh thyme to enhance the autumn-inspired presentation. Optionally, include a cinnamon stick for added aroma and visual appeal.
Serve immediately and enjoy your comforting Autumn Harvest Mocktail! This mocktail not only offers delicious autumn flavors but also boasts a beautiful presentation that captures the essence of the season. Perfect for savoring the taste of Autumn!