Food Fridays: Rosemary Clementine Sparkler Mocktail⁠
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Christmas may be over, but New Year’s Day is right around the corner! We’re wrapping up this month of mocktails with this Rosemary Clementine Sparkler, a perfect drink to ring in 2023!⁠
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If you’re looking to cut down on your alcohol intake or, if you have little ones joining the New Years’ festivities, a mocktail is a great drink option! Using in-season clementines for a citrus punch, and paired with a rosemary-juniper simple syrup, this winter-themed mocktail creates that classic “cocktail” flavour that’s often missing in mocktails. ⁠
Using fresh clementine juice helps cut down the sweetness of this drink – making it a healthier alternative to other juice-based drinks that rely heavily on added sugars. You can even adjust the amount of simple syrup to your liking! ⁠
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If you’re looking to do dry January (or just reduce your alcohol intake), choosing a mocktail for New Year’s Day is a great place to start! ⁠
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Ingredients

For the Rosemary Juniper Syrup:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 sprigs rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon dried juniper berries

For One Rosemary Clementine Sparkler:

  • 3 ounces freshly squeezed clementine juice from 3-4 clementines
  • 1/2 ounces Rosemary Juniper Syrup – add a little less or more depending on your desired sweetness
  • orange flavoured sparkling water unsweetened (La Croix)
  • a few dashes of orange bitters
  • extra rosemary sprigs and slices of clementine for garnish

Directions:

  1. To Make The Rosemary Juniper Syrup:
    Add the sugar, water, rosemary sprigs and juniper berries to a saucepan.  Bring to a simmer, whisking until sugar is dissolved.  Reduce heat to low and allow to steep for 20 minutes. Strain and store in a bottle in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

  2. To Make One Clementine Rosemary Sparkler:
    In a glass or cocktail shaker, add the clementine juice and juniper syrup.  Stir or shake until combined.
    Pour into a serving glass (can serve on the rocks or not).  Top with sparkling water and add a few dashes of orange bitters.  Gently stir to mix.  Garnish with slices of clementine and rosemary sprigs.

Recipe from Fox and Briar.