thanksgiving mocktails · alcohol-free
A vibrant and aromatic Thanksgiving mocktail that balances the citrusy brightness of fresh orange and lemon with the warm, spicy depth of clove-infused syrup and a non-alcoholic bitters alternative.
Prep time
10 minutes
Total time
20 minutes
Serves
1
Difficulty
Easy
A balanced alcohol-free drink built around real citrus and fruit flavor.
Easy-to-find ingredients and an approachable home-bar method.
Made for an everyday treat, dinner party, or celebratory pour.
Makes 1 serving. Ingredient quantities update with the selected batch size.
Prepare the clove syrup by simmering equal parts sugar and water with whole cloves for 10 minutes, then cooling and straining.
Combine the orange juice, clove syrup, lemon juice, and bitters alternative in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until the exterior of the shaker is frosty.
Double strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass or highball glass.
Top the glass with chilled sparkling mineral water and stir gently with a bar spoon to combine.
Garnish with a dehydrated orange wheel and whole cloves before serving.
For a crowd: To serve a group, batch the orange juice, clove syrup, lemon juice, and bitters alternative in a large pitcher and chill. When ready to serve, pour 4.5 ounces of the base into individual glasses and top each with 4 ounces of sparkling water to maintain freshness and fizz.
Easy swaps: Substitute blood orange juice for navel orange juice for a deeper color and tarter flavor. Use agave nectar instead of cane sugar for the clove syrup base if a lower glycemic option is preferred. Replace the sparkling mineral water with club soda for a more neutral carbonation profile.
The clove-infused simple syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
While bottled juice is convenient, freshly squeezed orange juice provides the essential acidity and oils needed to balance the heavy spice of the cloves.
A clean mason jar with a tight-fitting lid works as an excellent substitute for a traditional cocktail shaker.
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