Most of the time, I’m completely fine with my decision to be a non-drinker. But, it does present it’s awkward moments.
Case in point, the time some new friends from out-of-town asked me for a restaurant recommendation. They wanted someplace nice, where they could get a glass of wine with dinner, and I had to admit that I had no idea. Because wine is not even on my things-worth-considering list when it comes to choosing a restaurant for me.
Awkward.
Or the time we went on a Catamaran excursion in St. Thomas and the ship’s captain excitedly brought us rum punch, and we replied, “Um, do you have any sodas?”
Awkward.
Another frustrating moment is coming across an awesome cocktail recipe on a blog, and wishing I could make a non-alcoholic version for myself. I have the sense that the virgin drink is just not the same. Plus, most drink recipes don’t include a for-the-kids option. Which makes sense, because most cocktails are made for… well,… drinking. I’m pretty sure that leaving the alcohol out of some drinks is like leaving the tuna out of the tuna casserole.
And so, I’m making my own fancy drinks. The kind of drinks that were never meant to have alcohol in the first place.
I kind of copied this Sparkling Rosemary Limeade that I found on The Kitchn. Except that rosemary is really not my favorite herb ever, and thyme is, so I made the Lime-Thyme version. And yes, I realize that drinking something with rhyming words in the title sounds kind of juvenile, but I think you’ll get over that once you taste it.
You’ll get over it, or you’re grounded!
Homemade sodas are not too tough to make. You just make a simple syrup and mix it with some club soda. In this case, the syrup was made with lime juice and sugar, and steeped with some lime peels and thyme. The hardest part is waiting for the syrup to cool before you mix it with your soda and get to drinking!
I guess I’ll have a Diet Coke while I’m waiting….
- 1 cup fresh lime juice (about 6 limes)
- ¾ cup sugar
- a few sprigs fresh thyme
- peels from 2 limes
- about 4 cups club soda
- Combine lime juice and sugar in a saucepan, and heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved.
- Add peel from 2 limes, and fresh thyme, and cook a minute more.
- Chill the mixture in the fridge until completely cooled (at least an hour, or overnight).
- Remove lime peels and thyme sprigs, and combine syrup with cold club soda. Garnish with more thyme, if desired.
If you enjoy this recipe, you might also enjoy:
Pomegranate Blueberry Mocktail from Annies Eats
Blackberry Sparklers from That’s What We Said
Cranberry Lime Soda from Jen’s Favorite Cookies
This post linked up at: Sweet As Sugar Cookies; Six Sisters Stuff;
I do drink alcohol, but I also like a goo mocktail every now and then 🙂
I drink alcohol, but that is a much lighter and healthier version. 😛
This looks so refreshing. To be honest, a lot of the time I too prefer non-alcoholic drinks. I barely drink only if I’m invited out on the town with my binge drinking friends. Other than that, barely ever.
The Lime Thyme mocktails sounds perfect and I’m so with you on prefering to leave the alcohol out of cocktails. I’m a very fussy drinker when I do drink. Hate, hate, HATE beer or lager. I only like Malibu or weak vodka. That’s it.
You’re quite right that most “virgin” versions of cocktails just aren’t the same without the booze. Maybe the two best are the nonalcoholic versions of the Bloody Mary and Pina Colada. And lime juice (or lemon) and sparkling water is always a good option – as you found with this drink! Really like the inclusion of thyme- this must be refreshing and delicious. Thanks!
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I made this for a friend’s baby shower. It’s really great because it worked as a mocktail (as in the recipe), but it’s a great cocktail as well (substituting prosecco for the club soda). Will definitely make this again.