Mocktails can outshine any boring glass of soda or flavorless seltzer. Our Chateau Lobby #4 Valentine’s Day Mocktail takes a little extra work to make the homemade vanilla honey syrup. We promise, however, that every step is worth the sweet taste at the end. Plus, the addition of cherry juice and lemon juice adds a tart little touch to balance out the pinch ginger. Top it all off with your favorite sparkling drink of choice and you have your Valentine’s Day date plans in place.
Chateau Lobby #4 Valentine’s Day Mocktail Recipe
INGREDIENTS
4 oz tart cherry juice (found at your local health food store)
.50 oz vanilla honey syrup
.50 oz lemon juice
Half a thumb’s length knob of ginger, peeled
Top with your favorite sparkling seltzer, kombucha or probiotic soda (I like Olipop Ginger Ale for this)
For the vanilla honey:
Vanilla bean
Local honey
For the vanilla honey syrup:
Vanilla honey
Boiling water
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a cocktail tin, muddle your ginger and vanilla honey together until roughly combined.
- Then, add the cherry juice and lemon juice, top with ice and then shake for 10-15 seconds.
- Strain into a highball glass and top with about an inch of soda water, then ice.
For the vanilla honey:
- Carefully split a vanilla bean and add it to a 6 oz jar.
- Cover with good, local honey and let rest in a cool, dark place for about a week. The flavor improves the longer you allow the vanilla bean to infuse. R
- emove and reuse your vanilla bean once you reach your preferred level of vanilla flavor.
For the vanilla honey syrup:
- In a heatproof quart-sized container, weigh out equal parts vanilla honey and boiling water.
- Stir to combine until all the honey has dissolved.
- Let cool to room temp before covering and storing in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Recipe by Kaitlin Fellers / Story by Kylie Thomas / Photography by Dave Bryce / Styling by Anna Franklin
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