This Mandarin Orange Mocktail is a delightful blend of citrusy sweetness and herbal freshness, making it an instant favorite.
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Honey Mandarin Orange Mocktail
If your house is anything like mine during the winter you are likely to always have a bag of Cuties AKA Mandarin Oranges on the counter. They are an easy to peel citrus that is ever so popular during the winter citrus months.
So as a recipe developer it is only so natural that I am going to use my fresh mandarins in a drink if they are always sitting around. So I present to you this sweet Mandarin Mocktail which is easy to make with most ingredients already at home or easy to get at the store.
And if you are feeling adventurous you can check out it's companion cocktail, Mandarin Orange Margarita.
Equipment Needed
- Cocktail shaker or jar with a lid: To mix and chill the ingredients, it is best to do it in a separate container so that the muddled basil doen't fill up too much of your drink.
- Muddler or wooden spoon: To release the basil’s aromatic oils.
- Citrus juicer Affiliate Link or reamer: For squeezing fresh mandarin juice and lemon juice.
- Strainer: Optional but helps to ensure a smooth mocktail without pulp or basil bits.
- Glass: To serve the final drink.
- Ice cubes
Ingredients
- Optional garnish - Mandarin wedges and fresh basil leaves
- Mandarin Oranges - You will need about 2 mandarin oranges or 'cuties'
- Fresh Basil Leaves - Plus more for garnish
- Honey - For flavor and sweetness in the drink, you can also use Honey Simple Syrup if you have that.
- Lemon - For fresh lemon juice, this helps the drink from getting over sweet.
- Seltzer Water - Preferably mandarin or orange flavored, if you have the Polar Seltzer brand available to you they have a Mandarin flavor. You can also use a plain seltzer or even lemon or lime to change up the taste.
Instructions to Make a Mandarin Orange Mocktail
Prepare the Base: Add freshly squeezed mandarin orange juice and honey to a cocktail shaker or a jar with a lid. Stir thoroughly to dissolve the honey completely.
Muddle the Basil: Add 4-5 fresh basil leaves to the shaker. Use a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon to gently press the basil, releasing its fragrant oils. Be careful not to over-muddle; you want the flavor without bitterness.
Shake and Cool: Add the lemon juice and a handful of ice cubes to the shaker. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to chill the mixture.
Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into a serving glass filled with ice.
Top and Garnish: Pour 2-3 ounces of seltzer water over the strained mixture. For an extra burst of color and flavor, garnish with a few mandarin slices and a sprig of fresh basil.
Tips, Tricks and Questions
If you like this Mandarin Orange Mocktail you might also like:
Cranberry Orange Mocktail
Margarita Mocktail
Ginger Orange Mocktail
Grapefruit Paloma Mocktail
Mandarin Orange Mocktail
A sweet yet herbal honey and mandarin orange mocktail with fizz!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed mandarin orange juice (about 2 mandarin oranges aka cuties)
- 4-5 basil leaves, plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) lemon juice
- 2-3 ounces Seltzer water, preferably mandarin or orange flavored
Instructions
- Add the mandarin orange juice and honey to a cocktail shaker or jar with a lid. Stir the honey into the juice until it dissolves.
- Add the basil leaves to the shaker and use a muddler or wooden spoon to muddle the basil to release its aromatics.
- Add the lemon juice and a handful of ice cubes. Cover and shake to cool down the mixture.
- Strain the shaker/jar into a glass filled with ice. Top off the glass with the seltzer water. Garnish with a few mandarin slices and fresh basil leaves.
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