Last year, I wrote about Friday Night Cocktails by A.J. Dean (here) as a perfect host/hostess gift or just a fun small gift for anyone who loves cocktails. I still feel that way about that book of 52 gorgeous photos and delicious cocktail recipes! It’s wonderful. It’s key theme is celebrating the weekend.
But I’m sure you’ve noticed that there’s been a trend toward drinking less alcohol or not drinking alcohol at all. Since I had surgery almost two years ago, I drink much less alcohol than I did before, though I still enjoy the occasional cocktail. So this year’s book, Monday Night Mocktails: by Jennifer Newens is right on trend. I’m not the only one drinking less: there are more people these days who enjoy the taste and look of a festive mocktail especially during the holidays. Monday Night Mocktails‘ theme “welcoming the week” is important especially when you don’t want to end up with a hangover when you have to go to work the next morning.
Jennifer Newens is the perfect author for this slim volume of non-alcoholic but yummy libations. A cookbook editor, cooking teacher and literary agent, she received her culinary training from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (the other CIA) in Hyde Park NY. Her background inspired her to breathe new life into classic cocktails with twists on long-time favorites like:
- Virgin Margarita
- Fauxjito
- Nearly Negroni.
In addition, she created her own original creations that take off from today’s flavor trends:
- Turmeric Meyer Lemon Pop
- Peach-Rosemary Spritz
- Star Anise Mango Mocktail.
Like Friday Night Cocktails, Monday Night Mocktails contains 52 drink recipes, each with an accompanying appealing photo of the attractive mocktail in an appropriate glass. And Newens includes tips for crafting and serving the drinks.
The 52 recipes are for one a week, broken down by season, though you can mix it up however you like. All of the recipes can easily be modified for those who prefer alcohol.
My favorites so far are:
Blood Orange Sparkler: We’re just at the beginning of blood orange season. I just love the dark purple of the juice of the blood orange as well as the look of a slice of blood orange. Served in a champagne glass or wine glass, combine:
- 4 oz. chilled fresh blood orange juice (one good size blood orange)
- 1/2 oz. high-quality zero-proof orange liqueur (optional)
- chilled high-quality non-alcoholic sparkling wine
- garnish with a slice of blood orange
The recipe is for one mocktail that can be mixed right in the champagne or wine glass. You can double it or more for additional drinks mixed in a cocktail pitcher, and then pour over into individual glasses.
Berry Daiquirini: Berries are perfect for a mocktail. And Simple Syrup is easy to whip up, if you don’t have it in your fridge already.
- 2 strawberries
- 2 raspberries and 1 more for the garnish
- 1 blackberry and 1 more for the garnish
- 2 oz. high-quality zero-proof rum
- 1 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 oz. Simple Syrup (made from equal parts water and sugar simmered so the sugar goes into solution)
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the strawberries, 2 raspberries and 1 blackberry. Add the zero-proof rum, lime juice and simple syrup. Add ice and shake till chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with the raspberry and blackberry.
Monday Night Mocktails would make an excellent pre-holiday gift for a party host or for yourself. The hardcover book is published by the women-owned Collective Book Studio for $19.95. It is also sold on Amazon, on sale now in hardcover for $18.55 and on Kindle for $10.99. It’s also sold at Barnes & Noble, Simon & Schuster, Target, TJ Maxx.
Enjoy and drink up!
Love these mocktail ideas! Perfect for anyone looking for delicious, non-alcoholic options this holiday season. The Blood Orange Sparkler and Berry Daiquirini sound especially refreshing. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! Couldn’t agree more 🙂
I LOVE this book so much! I have to get it. The idea of making Mondays actually fantastic is wonderful.
FINALLY! Something to make Mondays not suck. I love this so much.
what a fun book to give someone who loves a good girls night out and mixed drinks. i think the blood orange sprinter sounds fun.
I agree!!
I haven’t come across this book before but must say it sounds pretty awesome as I am a big fan of cocktails but don’t know how to make many unfortunately. This would be really handy to get a copy of the next time my friends come over as we all enjoy cocktails. The blood orange sparkler sounds wonderful and something I’d love to try myself.
The Mocktails book just launched at the end of October. It’s easy to substitute alcohol for the zero-proof alcohol! 🙂
I love the idea of kicking off the week with creative and tasty non-alcoholic drinks. The Blood Orange Sparkler and Berry Daiquirini look gorgeous and sound refreshing. Loving the mindful drinking trend and this would be the perfect gift for anyone who wants to enjoy festive drinks without the hangover.
I would love that little book! Can’t have real alcohol so mocktails will be perfect!