Mocktail Passion

Opps, I think I have ventured into a passion.

While researching non-alcoholic drinks for my next cookbook, I became intrigued with making a variety of mock cocktails, or Mocktails.

Soon, this intrigue turned into a passion.

In a decidedly non-tightwad fashion, I went out and bought goo gobs of ingredients to make at least 15 mock cocktails.

In researching various non-alcoholic drink recipes, I did revert back to adapting various recipes to suit my budget, pantry, kitchen, and tastes.

Of course, I immersed myself in the lore and technique of making cocktails and their mock counterparts.

I discovered that a trend may be developing for dry bars as discussed The Guardian article "Dry bars: will they be the next big thing?"

Also, while researching the differences between mineral water, carbonated water, club soda and seltzer water, I found an interesting bit on Wikipedia on "Two-cents Plain" carbonated water, the cheapest beverage served at luncheon counters during the Depression.

But, it was the IBA (International Bartenders Association) Cosmopolitan cocktail recipe on Wikipedia and the Virgin Manhattan mocktail I found at: Convivial.org that clicked with me regarding how the right proportion of ingredients and combination of ingredients can produce a unique flavor.

In particular, it was interesting to see how various mock cocktails recipes used other ingredients like brewed tea or various juices to try and create flavors that mimicked the original cocktail.

I am proud of my frugal recipe for a Boyhattan Mocktail.

If you try this recipe, don't forget, you can adjust the ingredients to your taste and even experiment with other ingredients including the garnishes.

So, now I am working on two cookbooks. One -- an enlarged version of my Recipes from the Kitchen of a Frugal Non-Cook and two -- a collection of mock cocktail recipes.

Researching mock cocktail recipes has made me appreciate the judicious use of various ingredients in all types of recipes.

Enjoy!

Note: Not all the groceries in the grocery picture are for mock cocktails nor are all the mock cocktail ingredients shown.

Darwin's Lost Theory by David Loye

Becoming an author has opened a new world of connections for me.

I heard an interview on the "radio" with Dr. David Loye regarding his latest book, Darwin's Lost Theory.

The topic grabbed my attention. Loye was promoting the same idea I expressed in my eBook, Gina's Dream.

I had raised concerns about how our society has adopted the so-called theory of "survival of the fittest" and now uses it to support rampant selfishness to the point of theft, lies, and brutality.

The theory of "survival of the fittest" has been credited to Charles Darwin in his book, The Origin of Species, when in reality, Darwin's research supported another theory, the theory of "cooperation."

Dr. Loye is a prolific author. He has written over sixteen books and several on the topic of Charles Darwin.

You can find Dr. Loye's book at: http://davidloye.com/DLTpromo.html

Also, Dr. Loye is affiliated with several organizations that promote Darwin's theories and other perspectives such as The Darwin Project: http://thedarwinproject.com/library/library4.htm

Because I have not read or studied any of Dr. Loye's books or projects, I can not offer any recommendations.

While Dr. Loye approaches the topic of Darwin's theories from a scientific point of view, I feel that the idea of cooperation in society also needs to be expressed in different genres and on different levels of understanding.

Mocktails

The best parts of a cocktail are a beautiful chilled glass and the garnishes.

 

But, you can make Mocktails and enjoy a beautiful drink without the hangover.

These are simple Mocktail recipes, so treat yourself!

Faux Sparkling Rose Champagne

Regular 8 oz glass

Champagne glass

1/2  cup cranberry juice, chilled

1/2 cup club soda or carbonated water, chilled

Pour ingredients into a regular glass.

Stir and pour into champagne glass.

^^^^^^^^^^

Cremesicle

Regular 8 oz glass

Champagne glass

1/2 cup orange juice, chilled

1/4 cup plain yogurt, chilled

1/4 cup ginger ale, chilled

a dash of vanilla

Pour ingredients into a regular glass.

Stir vigorously.

Pour into champagne glass

^^^^^^^^^^^

Shirley Temple

Regular 8 oz glass

water

sugar

small bowl

small plate

Champagne glass

6 oz lemon-lime carbonated beverage, chilled

a dash concentrated jamaica juice or cherry juice, chilled

1 slice of lime

First, dip rim of Champagne glass into shallow bowl of water.

Then, dip rim into a small plate of sugar and set aside.

In regular glass, mix ingredients.

Stir well.

Pour into champagne glass.

Garnish with a slice of lime.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Virgin Mary

8 oz tall glass

Tomato juice

dash of salt

dash of black pepper

1-2 dashes of tabasco sauce

2-4 dashes Worcestershire sauce

dash of lime juice

ice

garnish: celery stick

Add 6 oz of tomato juice to glass.

Add salt, pepper, tabasco Worcestershire sauce, season to taste.

Add dash of lime juice.

Stir.

Add ice.

Garnish with celery stick.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Sunset Cooler

Fancy 8 oz glass

5 oz orange juice, chilled

Ginger ale, chilled

juice from slice of lime

a dollop of cranberry juice concentrate (or grenadine, or jamaica concentrate), chilled

Pour orange juice into glass.

Pour in ginger ale.

Run lime slice around rim of glass.

Squeeze juice from lime slice into glass.

Stir.

Add  dollop of jamica concentrate.

Do not stir.

Option: add ice

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Notes

I am currently short on garnishes. Look for updates.

Mug: No Cook Fruit Oatmeal Treat

This recipe needs a new name.

I could not resist a recipe with the term "No Cook" in the title.

Mug: No Cook Fruit Oatmeal Treat

This recipe is a good example of how recipes evolve. I adapted this recipe from an idea I found on: http://realmomkitchen.com/11339/no-cook-berry-oatmeal/and the author of that recipe adapted her recipe from a recipe from another source.

In most cases, I struggle to make substitutions in recipes. But, various fruit and yogurt combinations seem suited to this recipe. I also try to use what I have on hand.

Ingredients

One 12 oz mug

6 oz of pineapple yogurt or plain yogurt

2/3 cup of oats (about 5 ounces based on an 8 ounce cup)

2.5 tablespoons of pineapple chunks, canned, or other fruit (3/4 ounce)

1.5 tablespoons of pineapple juice or other fruit juice (3/4 ounce)

1/2 banana, sliced (slice banana in the morning)

1 tablespoon peanuts, crushed

honey

Process

Reserve 1 tablespoon of pineapple chunks and banana slices.

Stir remaining ingredients together in mug.

Refrigerator mug overnight.

In the morning, top with additional pineapple chunks, banana slices, nuts, and a drizzle of honey.

Imagine banana slices and a drizzle of honey.

Notes

Yogurt containers vary in size. My yogurt container was 242 grams or about 8.5 ounces, so I had to save about 2.5 ounces.

This is supposed to be a breakfast dish. I found it filling and sweet; I would consider also it a dessert.

Note: because I forgot to put the banana in the ingredients picture or to top off the dish with the slices and a drizzle of honey, my pictures are not accurate.

Minor edit: 9/11/2019