You know those times you just don’t want to - or can’t - drink, and all you’ve got on offer is a can of coke or a large glass of concentrated orange juice? They are a bit crap, aren’t they? Why - just because you’re not on the booze-hound-train - do you get something less exciting? Well, when you’re in the driving seat you can do something about it - that’s where this sparkling orange and elderflower comes from. It’s about having an interesting drink when you’re not drinking.

I’d be the first to admit that alcohol-free drinks have largely passed me by in life (pass me a gin and tonic any time), but as someone who has to drive quite a lot to get places and who has had friends do the whole ‘on call’ thing, I’ve become quite aware of the lack of booze-free options when we all go out. Not up for a pint of coke or a large orange juice (from concentrate)? Yeah, it’s a water for you. If you’re lucky you might get a half-dead slice of lemon in it…

So if we’re not to have an eye-watering amount of added sugar what can you do? Often not much, but if you’re in the driving seat then take a swing at making this sparking orange and elderflower, it’s like a little, partially grown-up take on an orange juice and lemonade. How so you ask? Well, it’s orange juice and something a bit fizzy. That’s about where the similarity ends, and the deliciousness starts.

Sparkling orange and elderflower

Author: Craig
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 glass 1x

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Description

This is the perfect drink for when you don’t fancy drinking - it’s a mocktail, if that’s the words you’re looking for. Whatever you call it, you’ll enjoy it. This recipe is to make one, but it’s pretty easy to scale up - just multiply it up by however many you need. I tend to use Fever Tree’s elderflower tonic (this isn’t sponsored by them, I just like it, but if you fancy some it’s on Amazon, where you can also find the fancy ice cube ball moulds I use)

Scale

Ingredients

1/2 an orange, juiced (it’ll be about 4 tbsp)
1/2 tsp lime juice
150ml elderflower tonic water
1 sprig of rosemary
lots of ice

Instructions

Start by mixing the orange and lime juices with ice - it’ll mix and cool them. If I’ve people about I make it in a cocktail shaker, otherwise I do it in the glass…

Pour into the glass you’re having it in with more ice. Top up with the tonic and then stir the rosemary through a few times to get some of the flavour in it.

Serve and enjoy.