There I was, perusing the drink options at the various establishments at V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa, when I came across a product that caught my eye. Bottled cocktails? Pre-made to perfection? My American mind couldn’t comprehend, but sure enough, there they were––pre-mixed cocktails in bright, colorful packaging, just waiting for me to…
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The pomegranate pink tonic mocktail looks cool. Let’s show it off! Tonics and aperitifs get a bad rap for their awful flavor and association with medicine. If you’re a drink, you stay away from medicine. Dr. Pepper still has it rough even now, with only medium-sized niches praising its perfect combination of 23 flavors. But…
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What’s that drink called? It might be “nothing,” or “I don’t know”––and that’s a beautiful thing. As a food journalist, I occasionally meet a bartender who has an unnamed cocktail recipe. They’ve been perfecting it for a while. Many of them prefer to remain anonymous. That could be justified if it’s still a work in…
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What’s a St. Patrick’s Day cocktail without the green dye? That’s the Eye of the Hurricane––an Irish-themed cocktail from South Africa. That’s not a place Americans would associate with Irish traditions like St. Patrick’s Day. But this little-known drink is gaining in fame. Eye of the Hurricane is a bitter lemon and passion fruit flavor…
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Life in the city is tough. So what’s the best way to relax amid all the chaos? The answer is staring you down on your screen as we speak––an ice-cold pomegranate margarita mocktail. I’ll show you how to make your very own chill time juice for the 2020s––all the style, minus the alcohol. Oh, and…
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Everyone only drinks virgin cosmopolitans during the holidays nowadays, but it’s such a classic. Why not have it year-round? I know so many people out there have a love for this drink that stretches beyond seasonality. And this recipe is for them! I’m going to show you my favorite virgin cosmopolitan recipe of all time––beautifully…
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In Cape Town, high tea isn’t high tea unless it’s served by a garçon surrounded by the most luxurious decor that screams, “I have too much money!” I’ve had many high tea experiences in Cape Town, but I like to just cut to the chase. This is no top 10 list. It’s just the best.…
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Mocktails are the fruits of abstaining adults and parents alike, but what about kids? Virgin cocktails send a great message to younger folks, fostering both creative alcohol-free mixology and self-control. And showing them different mix variations or new flavor profiles can bolden that sentiment even further. So, whether you have children yourself or just want…
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The Cinderella is a drink/formula to entertain any group that needs impressing. It’s a mocktail blueprint that’s so malleable yet beginner-friendly, anyone could look like a professional while making it. Now, the name “Cinderella” may bring about images of pompous gatherings, bright colors and girls’ nights. But the appeal and appearance of this alcohol-free beverage…
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The strawberry daiquiri is the culmination of everything fun in a cocktail. As such, its mocktail equivalent has big boots to fill. Do your kids want a non-alcoholic drink to match their parents? Or maybe you’ve gone sober, but those fond memories have you craving this beautifully blended, slightly nutty, mostly fruity strawberry beverage? Everyone…
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