This year’s holiday season is a lot different than in previous years, but we deserve a fun beverage just the same. However, not everyone will want alcohol. We’ve got you covered with these Jane Austen themed “mocktails.”
First, a note about glassware. Traditional cocktails have specific glass shapes because they open up the alcohol in different ways. For our purposes, choosing the right glass is more about having fun -- so serve these in any glass you prefer.
“Wine”
We know that Jane would often drink a bit of wine in the evening, and we can pretend to drink our pretend wine with her.
Recommended glassware: wine glass.
Pour grape juice (white or purple) into the glass leaving plenty of room at the top.
Alternatively, consider sparkling grape juice for an extra bit of fun.
Mr. Collins
A nonalcholic classic Tom Collins is just a not-very-sweet fizzy lemonade -- a little like Mr. Collins himself. We suspect it pairs perfectly with your most excellent boiled potatoes.
Recommended glassware: Collins glass.
Fill glass with ice.
Add:
Two parts club soda
One part lemon juice
One part simple syrup (a sugar-water mix)
Garnish with a lemon wedge.
For a sweeter version, add bit of lemon juice to a Sprite and call it a day.
Longbourn Iced Tea
If you take the alcohol out of a Long Island iced tea, you have close to an empty glass. So for our interpretation, we are leaning heavy into the ice tea and reinterpreting the drink.
Recommend glassware: Collins glass.
Fill glass with ice.
Add:
Your choice of sweet or unsweetened iced tea until almost full.
Frozen blueberries (optional: mash berries or blend before adding)
A sprig of fresh mint or lemon, or both
Margarita-field Park
Sure, it might be a stretch to fit margaritas into the name of Mansfield Park, but what self-respecting mocktails list doesn’t include a classic virgin margarita?
Recommended glassware: salt-rimmed rocks glass.
Fill glass with ice.
Add:
One part lemon juice
One part lime juice
One part orange juice
Two parts simple syrup
Garnish with a lime wedge.
Moji-Tilney
May you enjoy it while reading a scary novel!
Recommended glassware: highball.
Fill glass with ice.
Add:
One part lime juice
One part club soda
One part simple syrup
Lightly rubbed mint sprig
Marianne’s Mudslide
We reimagined the classic Mississippi mudslide as that fateful hill Marianne slid down.
Recommended glassware: wine glass.
Blend until smooth:
One part ice cream flavor of your choice (we recommend chocolate)
One part milk
Pour into glass.
Garnish with marshmallows and chocolate syrup.
High Berry
Imagine drinking this on Box Hill.
Recommended glassware: Highball.
Blend:
One part frozen blueberries
One part yogurt
Honey to taste
Pour into glass.
Optional: Garnish with more berries of your choice
Persuasive Grog
As a naval officer, Captain Wentworth likely consumed his fair share of grog. We have modified this sailor’s drink.
Recommended glassware: your favorite coffee mug or tea cup
Prepare your favorite hot tea as normal but add a bit of cinnamon, cloves, lemon, sugar and allspice to your pot.
Pour into cup using a strainer.
Serve warm.
Apple Pie Happiness
This drink is inspired by the Austen quote “Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness” because who doesn’t love an apple pie in their glass?
Recommended glassware: your favorite coffee mug or tea cup
In a sauce pot, bring apple cider to a boil and then simmer.
While cider simmers, add your favorite of mulling spices. (We recommend cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. You can also put cloves on an orange and allow that to take a bath in your mixture.)
When ready, ladle into cup.
A special thank you to Hilary Bouton-Verville for lending her mixology knowledge with us. Let us know if you try any of them and tag us if you share them on social media.