Rosemary Ginger Coconut Water Mocktail

Brighten up happy hour with a delicious mocktail that’s perfect for the holiday season…or any time! Tangy ginger and lime combine with sweet orange juice and earthy, pure coconut water for a combination of fresh flavor and a little sweetness for the perfect balance!

WHAT’S NEW

This semester is in the books. Anatomy, you were something. I didn’t hate it. In fact, I rather enjoyed anatomy. Finding the TIME to study was a bit of a different story, but I’m looking forward to nursing school and the challenge!

My family has been busy with winter sports – swim, tennis, and of course, hockey. Our evenings are limited with any type of dinner structure, but no one is going hungry. This past weekend we had a bit of down time and I took a break from studying to whip up mocktails with my girls. Perhaps because I cook less than seasons of the past, but they’ve been very interested in helping. And I must say, their capabilities are growing by leaps and bounds. Along with operating the microwave with close supervision, we can juice citrus, brown meat in a skillet, and stir a pot of soup or something of the like with great success and confidence.

Creating a reduced-sugar simple syrup infused with rosemary and ginger was a piece of cake. It was being patient during the cooling time that was hardest for us all. We juiced our citrus and marveled at our beautifully garnished glasses to make these zero-proof cocktails ultra fun!

ROLL CALL FOR THIS RECIPE

• Coconut Water Lovers: I buy coconut water every week. It is always on hand in my house, mostly as the perfect post-workout hydration. I find it a refreshing drink as-is – delicious, nutritious, and incredibly versatile.
• Highly Adaptable: Play around with the proportions, ingredients, sweetness, carbonation, and more. This recipe is highly adaptable based on what you enjoy!
• Happy Hour: Keep with the alcohol-free or version or feel free to add a splash of your favorite alcohol, spirit, or white wine for a cocktail or spritzer option! 
• Holiday Celebrations: Perfectly suited to ring in the new year or to serve up at a holiday party, the flavors of ginger and rosemary are cozy and warm.

KEY INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

• Fresh Ginger: Fresh ginger root (bought in “knobs”) is easy to peel and slice. It offers flavors of pepper and spice with some mild sweetness and intense but wonderfully strong flavor. If you’re not so sure about ginger, reduce to 1-inch to start.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar, raw sugar, honey, or agave nectar can be used to make the simple syrup. Simple sugar is truly just a mixture of sugar and water, so anything goes! 
• Rosemary: Offering intense flavors and scents of woods and pine, the flavor of rosemary is infused into the simple syrup simmering in the small sauce pan. Feel free to omit or use less, if preferred. Mint, thyme, or sage would be good alternatives.
• Lime: Fresh lime juice is much preferred to a lime juice concentrate. Lemon juice is a good substitution for lime juice.
• Orange: Any orange variety works well, as would other citrus such as grapefruit. You can also substitute in orange juice or pineapple juice
• Coconut Water: Slightly sweet, slightly salty, and slightly nutty, coconut water is largely neutral in flavor but offers a low-calorie, healthy base for mocktails and creating that perfect sip to enjoy!
• Soda Water: This ingredient is also known as sparkling water, carbonated water, seltzer water, or. club soda. If you prefer, tonic water or additional coconut water can be used in place of soda water. For a sweeter mocktail, consider ginger ale or ginger beer as an alternative to soda water.

VARIATIONS, STORAGE, and TIPS

• Store pre-mixed mocktail in a covered or airtight container in the fridge, adding the soda water just before serving.
• To serve, fill each glass with ice cubes to the rim and pour mixture over the top before garnishing
• In the warmer months, swap the rosemary for mint or try any number of fresh fruit juices in place of the orange juice

FAQ

If I want to make this into a cocktail, what alcohol would you recommend using?

As a fan of white wine, I think a citrusy sauvignon blanc would go beautifully with these flavors. An oaky chardonnay would be a nice flavor profile, as well. In terms of spirits, a vodka, bourbon, or a white rum would be my recommendations.

If I use a liquid sugar variety, such as honey or agave, in the simple syrup, do I still need to simmer and cool?

Yes! The heat is used to infuse the flavors of rosemary and ginger into the simple syrup so be sure not to skip that step!

What garnishes would you recommend for this drink?

Fresh mint and orange slices are beautiful, but a lime wedge or lemon wedge with a sprig of fresh rosemary or any combination of would be equally attractive and a fun way to switch up this mocktail for serving.

Can this mocktail be made ahead of time?

Yes, you can certainly prep this mocktail ahead of time. The only recommended change would be to stir in the soda water or any carbonated elements you add right before serving.

NUTRITIONAL MERITS

• This recipe is vegan and gluten-free
• At only 70 calories per serving, this mocktail is relatively low in calories
• Coconut water is very high in potassium and offers antioxidant properties
• Ginger can be a helpful food to aid in digestion and to reduce nausea as well as inflammation

Enjoy FUN drink options? Enjoy!

• Apple Cider Mocktail
• Cranberry Gin Mule Cocktail
• Blueberry Mocktail
• Rose Sangria with Apple and Berries

Be well,