Lowveld - Dec 2020 / Jan 2021

all the fun
without the hangover
Mocktails. Phwa. There’s nothing mock about these. Whether you’re not
drinking for personal or health reasons, or have been designated as the driver
for the night, there’s no reason to hold back on festive cheer.
These non-alcoholic options scream party, without the morning-after woes!
Compiled by: Kym Argo
From G&T to cocktail, in one easy (garnish) step
If you’re planning a party, add a dozen bottles of The Duchess non-alcoholic gin
& tonic to the bar station, and go mad with the garnishes. For the horticulturist
guest ... a few sprigs of freshly cut rosemary and thyme enhance the gardeninspired
extracts in The Duchess Greenery. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon
juice, loads of ice – ideal for a sunny day in the garden. Romance in the air?
The Berry Burst is simply a few raspberries and a sprig of mint
in The Duchess Floral, garnished with lime zest. For a very
Christmassy drink, pour The Duchess Botanical into an icefilled
glass and add either a sprinkling of star anise seeds and
some thin orange peel, or some cardamom seeds and one or
two cinnamon sticks. Details: drinktheduchess.com
Dress up that drink
Garnishes can make or break a
cocktail ... alcoholic or otherwise.
Some of them are purely for aesthetic
reasons, others add aromatics and
flavour. A glass of soda with a splash
of flavoured syrup goes from ho-hum
to let’s-do-the-salsa with the addition
of a mint sprig and a lime wedge. Set
aside a little spot on the bar, make a
display and let your guests go mad.
Easiest (and most common) is a
citrus peel – orange, lemon, lime or
grapefruit. Make sure you give it a
good twist before dropping it into the
drink, allowing the oils to spray and
add flavour. A bowl of maraschino
cherries is a must, as are fresh berries
– strawberry, blackberry, blueberry,
raspberry. Pomegranates are great,
and very festive. For tutti-frutti
cocktails, have slices of pineapple,
peach, melon balls and coconut
meat. Balance
all the sweet
options
with olives,
cucumber ribbons,
and have loads
of herbs – mint,
rosemary, basil and
thyme all work well.
And don’t forget
the pretties ... rose
petals, pansies, violas,
lavender,
nasturtiums.
22 Get It Lowveld Dec 2020 / Jan 2021