The new year is here, and many of us are not sad at all to see the old one go! So, let’s celebrate with these festive cocktail and mocktail recipes!

Cocktails And Mocktails?

A trend that has gained substantial ground in recent years is the unexpected surge in non-alcoholic drinks, especially concoctions that mimic the real thing: a “mocktail”. Restaurants and bars including various Asheville hangouts have discovered that a menu dedicated to mocktails is one way to add more revenue. In addition, a whole cottage industry has arisen of distillers who make craft alcohol as well as their alcohol-free (AF) cousins.

A Winter Kiss:

• 1-1/2 oz Raspberry vodka
• 3/4 oz triple sec
• 1 oz white cranberry juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• Add all ingredients to shaker, shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Add a 1/2 oz creme de cassis.

The Mocktail:

• • 1 oz white cranberry juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 1/2 oz lime juice
  • 1 oz Pom juice
  • Add all ingredients to glass with ice and top with club soda

Watermelon Crush:

• Start with ice in a pint glass
• Add 4 oz. of fresh watermelon puree
• 3 oz. of Skyy Watermelon vodka
• 1 oz. Triple Sec.
• Top with club soda
• Stir & garnish with a lime slice

The Mocktail:

• • Start with ice in a rocks glass
  • ½ oz fresh watermelon puree
  • Top with club soda
  • Stir & garnish with a lime slice

Dark & Stormy:

• Start with ice in a tall glass
• Add 2 oz. of dark rum (preferably spiced)
• Add 3 oz. of ginger beer (non-alcoholic) and 1/2 oz. lime juice
• Stir & garnish with a lime slice

The Mocktail:

• • Start with ice in a tall glass
  • Substitute 1/2 teaspoon of blackstrap molasses for the dark rum
  • Add 3 oz. of ginger beer (non-alcoholic) and 1/2 oz. lime juice
  • Stir & garnish with a lime slice

For those interested in experimenting with their own cocktails and mocktails, check out offerings by Monday (alcohol-free gin), Lyres (classic AF spirits), Sexy AF Spirits, among others. Also browse your supermarket for kombucha blends and alcohol-free Ginger beers such as Fever Tree, The Great Jamaican Ginger Beer Company, Reed’s and Barritt’s.

Wildberry Lodge wishes you and your loved ones a Happy, Safe and Healthy New Year. We are featuring some new and exciting specials and packages in 2021-including for Valentine’s Day! Now is as good a time as any to plan your 2021 Asheville vacation! Reserve your room today online or call 828-683-2525.