January is coming to a close, and for some, so is Dry January. For others, enjoying nonalcoholic drinks is not just a behavior for the first month of each new year. There is a growing trend, especially among the Gen Z generation, to drink less alcohol overall. This cultural shift is primarily based on the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.
Better sleep and a healthier lifestyle are what prompted my foray into the world of mocktails. In my quest for new alternatives to cocktails, I was captivated by a recipe claiming to taste like the Wrigley’s Big Red gum I was obsessed with in my young teenage years. When that recipe didn’t come anywhere close to my expectations, I developed my own version. And came up with (what I consider) a drink very similar to the gum of my youth with a nice, spiced cherry flavor.
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Big Red Mocktail
Big Red Mocktail (an original recipe by Linda J Heuser) Total Time Required for Syrup: 5 hours, Total Time Required for Drink: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
Cinnamon Syrup: Makes 12 ounces
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 5 3-inch cinnamon sticks
Mocktail: Makes one drink
- 3 ounces cherry juice
- 1 ounce Cinnamon Syrup
- 2 – 3 ounces club soda
- cherry, for garnish
Directions:
For the Cinnamon Syrup: Add the sugar and cinnamon sticks to a small saucepan.
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Add the sugar and cinnamon sticks to a saucepan.
Add the water to the pot.
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Add the water to the pot.
Bring the mixture to a boil.
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Bring the mixture to a boil.
Simmer over moderate heat for 3 minutes, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Let cool, then cover the pot and let it stand for 4 hours. Strain the syrup into a jar. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
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Strain the cooled syrup into a clean jar.
For the mocktail: Combine the cherry juice and the cinnamon syrup in a rocks glass. Stir in the club soda. Add ice to the glass. Garnish the drink with a maraschino cherry, Luxardo maraschino cherry, or sweet cherry.
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Add the juice, syrup, club soda, ice, & garnish to a rocks glass.
Serve.
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Serve & enjoy!
Tart & spicy with a touch of sweet! ~Linda
Big Red Mocktail (an original recipe by Linda J Heuser) Total Time Required for Syrup: 5 hours, Total Time Required for Drink: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
Cinnamon Syrup: Makes 12 ounces
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 5 3-inch cinnamon sticks
Mocktail: Makes one drink
- 3 ounces cherry juice
- 1 ounce Cinnamon Syrup
- 2 – 3 ounces club soda
- cherry, for garnish
Directions:
For the Cinnamon Syrup: Add the sugar and cinnamon sticks to a small saucepan. Add the water to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat for 3 minutes, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Let cool, then cover the pot and let it stand for 4 hours. Strain the syrup into a jar. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
For the Mocktail: Combine the cherry juice and the cinnamon syrup in a rocks glass. Stir in the club soda. Add ice to the glass. Garnish the drink with a maraschino cherry, Luxardo maraschino cherry, or sweet cherry and serve.