Cooking Lesson #982: Margarita Mocktail for Dry January

…from the Perspectives’ Happy Hour Bar

How you doin’? I have a fairly addictive personality and being in the restaurant business that’s not a good thing when you are surrounded by alcohol 18 hours a day. But the stronger part of my personality is that I can control my urges and cravings.
 
About 6-months after we opened The Warehouse Restaurant, I concluded that this was not going to be a passing fancy but that the restaurant business was going to be the main part of my life—my career going forward. That was the last time I had a drink in any of my restaurants. I didn’t  stop drinking—just never in my house. Personally, I felt better not drinking. And though my body and mind like the alcohol-free lifestyle and benefits, there are certain things I miss—like my Margaritas!
 
Since having a cocktail is a social thing I needed to come up with a fabulous, non-alcoholic “mockarita” to satisfy my needs. This Margarita Mocktail is a flavorful, slightly spicy, super refreshing, social  beverage for everyone and at any time... especially Dry January!!
 
So, if you’re taking out the tequila, the question becomes what are you adding, right? Well, my recipe uses different kinds of citrus and sparkling water to create its’ refreshing flavor. My Margarita Mocktail recipe calls for orange juice, grapefruit sparkling water, and lime juice. All easy things to have on hand for when you want a Margaritaville kind of experience!
 
I also like to add a measure of jalapeño simple syrup. It plays a pivotal role in this mocktail. It does double duty adding both sweetness (from the light-colored, raw honey), as well as spiciness (from the jalapeño ). I think you’ll find it to be well-balanced, but if you like yours less or spicier, you can adjust the amount of jalapeño pepper in your syrup to suit your taste buds. And to finish it off, I like to add some Tajin seasoning to put a spicy rim on the glass instead of salt.
 
Prep time:  2 minutes
Yield:  1 mocktail
 
Ingredients 
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
2 ounces jalapeño-honey simple syrup (see the ChefSecret below)
2 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
4 ounces grapefruit flavored sparkling water
Garnish with a lime wedges and jalapeño slices
Tajin seasoning to rim the glass
 
Directions

1. In a cocktail shaker or a tall glass, combine the lime juice, jalapeño simple syrup, orange juice and grapefruit sparkling water.
2. Fill the shaker or glass with ice cubes.
3. Shake the mixture well until it’s thoroughly combined and chilled.
4. Prepare your serving glass by rubbing the rim with a lime wedge and dipping it in the Tajin seasoning.
5. Strain the margarita mixture into your prepared glass, ensuring that the ice cubes are left behind.
6. Garnish the glass with a lime wedge and a slice of jalapeño.
7. Serve your non-alcoholic jalapeño margarita immediately and enjoy it’s refreshing and spicy flavors!

Note:  Feel free to adjust the quantities of ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Cheers!
 
ChefSecret:                         Spicy Jalapeño-Honey Simple Syrup 
Prep Time:  2 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Yield:  Makes enough simple syrup for 6 to 10 Margarita Mocktails
 
Ingredients 
6 ounces raw, light-colored honey
6 ounces water
2 tablespoons diced jalapeño peppers
 
Directions

1. Place the honey, water and jalapeño peppers in a saucepan set over low heat.
2. Stir frequently to warm for 2 to 3 minutes, until the honey is fully incorporated.
3. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
4. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
5. Then strain the liquid to remove the minced jalapeños pouring the mixture into an airtight glass container.
6. Store the jalapeño-honey simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

​Quip of the Day:  Mocktails: the perfect blend of laughter and carbonation!
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

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