How to Create the Perfect Mocktail Bar: Accessories, Garnishes, and Recipes
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Shake it up, shake it up, yeah yeah, shake it up…get the ice, the simple syrup, and liquids of choice and shake them up. Mocktail season is here. The spring and summer seasons have mocktails written all over them. I personally like my iced beverages all year round, but some people prefer to drink with the seasons.
While I don’t drink alcohol, I do enjoy a good mocktail as long as the added sugar doesn’t get out of control. Also having a beverage cart just feels like you have arrived in life.
Mocktail Accessories
But before we get to drink carts, let’s start with a mocktail essential – the cocktail shaker.
A shaker bottle can be used for mocktails or one of my favorites, a Starbucks DIY shaken espresso.
A Bar Above Shaker Set
Getting mocktail ready begins with A Bar Above’s cocktail shaker kit. A Bar Above is a small business run by a husband and wife team that make quality barware as their name implies! The cocktail shaker set comes with a food grade stainless steel Boston shaker that has a tight seal, so as not to spill your precious liquids and two strainers – a fine mesh cocktail strainer and a julep strainer.
Next is a muddler.
Stainless Steel Muddler
I’ve certainly used a spoon instead of a muddler, but if a muddler is what I need for a proper Mint Julep (minus the alcohol) then a muddler is what I will get. This is a top-rated muddler from Amazon that’s not too heavy, but sturdy enough with a wide enough bottom to effectively muddle!
Ice cube trays may not be essential to most, but I think the shape of the ice affects a mocktail. Would Sonic drinks taste as good without crushed ice? I think not.
Oggi Crushed Ice Trays
The Oggi crushed ice trays each make 160 mini ice cubes for drinks that look as good as they taste.
Now if you’re in the market for a beverage cart, here is one of my favorites. Right now, I’m still in the dreaming phase, but if you’re in the shopping phase then I’ll live vicariously through you.
Wayfair Bar Cart
This sleek and modern 2-tier bar cart has mirrored glass shelves and has room for all of the essentials including a bowl of fruit or vase of flowers if you so choose. It comes in gold, black, or rose gold.
Mocktail Recipes
Strawberry Mojito
Muddle 4 fresh mint leaves with 2 Tbsp strawberry simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add 1/4 cup of 2 Tbsp lime juice, and ice to fill shaker. Shake 15 seconds. Strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with club soda, mint, lime, and strawberries.
Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail
Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar ( I substitute with maple syrup or honey)
- 1 cup water
- 4 large cinnamon sticks
Ginger Beer Pineapple Mocktail
- ¼ cup loosely packed mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh ginger
- ¾ once lime juice
- 1 ½ ounce cinnamon simple syrup
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- 5 ounces ginger beer
Get the full recipe along with other delicious recipes at cupofzest.com.
Grapefruit & Lime Refresher
Mix equal parts of grapefruit juice and lime juice and pour over 8oz of sparkling water. Add a few drops of stevia.
