Explore the recipes in this collection:
Grapefruit Margarita ⋅ Lemongrass Cooler ⋅ Thyme Clementini ⋅ Rosemary-Grapefruit Sparkle ⋅ Cucumber Mint Infusion ⋅ Ginger Green Tea-Ni ⋅ Fennel-Ginger Digestif ⋅ Elderberry Fizz ⋅ Sober Russian
Grapefruit Margarita
For a classic presentation, salt the edge of your glasses by running a lime wedge around the rim and rolling it in kosher salt.
Makes 2 drinks | Serving glass Margarita
- 1 1/2 cups fresh pink-grapefruit juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 1/2 cups ice
- 1/4 cup Meyer lemon syrup or lime syrup
- 2 grapefruit wedges for garnish
- Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until the ice is crushed.
- Pour into glasses and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
Optional spirit: Tequila or Cointreau
Lemongrass Cooler
Lovely on its own, this drink can also be used to flavor other cocktails, sparkling juices, or even wine.
Makes 4 drinks
- 1 stalk lemongrass, coarsely chopped (plus 1 stalk, cut lengthwise into quarters, for garnish)
- 1 tbs. honey
- 1 cup water
- 4 cups sparkling water, chilled
- Blend the chopped lemongrass, honey, and water in a blender until smooth.
- Strain through a fine sieve.
- Add the sparkling water, divide among four glasses over ice, and garnish with the reserved lemongrass.
Optional spirit: Gin or vodka
Thyme Clementini
This sweet and herby beverage supports your immune system with the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of fresh thyme and vitamin C from juiced clementines.
Makes 2 servings | Prep time 20 minutes, plus time to chill
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh thyme leaves, loosely packed
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
- 3 clementines, juiced, seeds removed
- 2 clementine-peel curls, for garnish
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme, for garnish
- In a small bowl, pour boiling water over the thyme and cayenne (if using) and steep for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Strain and discard the solids, then chill the tea.
- Meanwhile, juice the clementines.
- When the thyme tea is chilled, mix with the clementine juice and pour into chilled martini glasses.
- Garnish glasses with clementine peels and thyme sprigs.
Optional spirit: This tastes great with a splash of vodka.
Rosemary-Grapefruit Sparkle
Pink grapefruit’s vibrant color and flavor make this simple drink particularly cheery, while heart-healthy rosemary adds an herbal quality.
Makes 2 to 4 servings | Prep time 10 minutes, plus time for rosemary syrup to cool | Cook time 15 to 20 minutes
- 1/4 cup loosely packed rosemary leaves, coarsely chopped (can substitute 1 tbs. dried rosemary leaves)
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1 tbs. honey
- 1 cup fresh-squeezed pink-grapefruit juice
- 8 oz. chilled sparkling water
- Pour boiling water over the rosemary leaves in a heatproof container; cover and steep for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Strain out the leaves, then stir in honey until dissolved.
- Allow rosemary syrup to cool in the refrigerator.
- Combine syrup and grapefruit juice, then pour into glasses over ice.
- Top with sparkling water and serve.
Optional spirit: Enjoy with vodka or gin.
Cucumber Mint Infusion
This concoction is as refreshing as a spa drink and as fancy as a cocktail.
Makes 8 drink
- 1 English cucumber, shaved lengthwise into long strips (use a mandoline or a vegetable peeler)
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp. sugar or a splash of fruit juice
- 8 sprigs fresh mint (reserve tops for a garnish)
- Crushed ice
- 4 cups carbonated water
Supplies: 8 bamboo skewers
- Weave the cucumber strips onto bamboo skewers, and reserve as garnishes.
- Stir the water and sugar together in a pitcher, then add the remaining cucumber strips and the lower mint leaves.
- Allow the cucumber–mint water to infuse for at least an hour before serving.
- Strain the liquid and pour over crushed ice; fill halfway. Then top off with the carbonated water.
- Garnish with a cucumber skewer and a mint sprig.
Optional spirit: Gin or vodka
Ginger Green Tea-Ni
The elegance of a martini meets the energizing effect of green tea. Use a mandoline or vegetable peeler to thinly shave the ginger for garnish.
Makes 2 drinks | Serving glass Martini
- 3/4 cup brewed green tea, chilled
- 2 tbs. ginger syrup, chilled (find recipe here)
- 1/2 cup crushed ice
- 2 thin shavings of fresh ginger
- Shake the tea, syrup, and ice in a cocktail shaker, then strain into glasses.
- Garnish with a slice of ginger.
Optional spirit: Vodka or gin
Fennel-Ginger Digestif
Ginger and fennel are well known for their digestion-supporting powers, making them a great choice for this warming after-dinner drink.
Makes 8 servings | Prep time 10 minutes, plus time to cool | Cook time 15 to 20 minutes
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 1/2-in. piece fresh ginger, minced (about 2 tbs.)
- 2 whole star-anise pods
- 2 tbs. whole fennel seeds
- 3-in. piece orange or lemon peel
- 6 to 8 fresh sage leaves
- 1 bag hibiscus tea
- 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric powder
- 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- Simmer all ingredients over low or medium-low heat in a small saucepan for 15 to 20 minutes, until the liquid is reduced to 1½ cups.
- Allow the mixture to cool, then strain into a bottle or jar.
- Serve at room temperature.
- Leftovers will keep for a week in the refrigerator.
Optional spirit: A little brandy or cognac complements this digestif.
Elderberry Fizz
Known for its antiviral and immune-boosting properties, elderberry syrup is used as a tonic during cold-and-flu season. Its flavor is reminiscent of a good red wine with dark-fruit undertones, providing a sweet-yet-sophisticated quality to this mocktail.
Makes 2 servings | Prep time 5 minutes
- 1/4 cup elderberry syrup (substitute 100 percent elderberry juice for a less-sweet option)
- 1/2 lime, cut into 4 slices
- 8 oz. chilled sparkling water or sparkling fruit juice
- Pour 2 tablespoons elderberry syrup or juice into each glass.
- Squeeze a slice of lime into each and fill with sparkling water or sparkling fruit juice.
- Garnish with remaining lime slices.
Optional spirit: Substitute sparkling wine for the sparkling water or fruit juice.
Sober Russian
Makes 2 drinks
- 4 ice cubes
- 2 shots of espresso, about 1/2 cup, chilled
- 2 to 4 tbs. maple syrup, depending on desired sweetness
- 1/3 cup coconut milk or half-and-half
- Put two ice cubes into each glass. Mix together the chilled espresso, maple syrup, and coconut milk, and pour over the ice.
Optional spirit: Vodka
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